A fistula is an abnormal connection or passageway between two epithelium-lined organs or vessels that normally do not connect. This is the case of internal fistulas. When contact is established between the viscera and skin, the fistula is said to be external. These pathological conditions come in many forms and are caused by several factors: abscesses, gallstones, tumour, surgery or other.
Fistulas can be recognized by the flow they provoke, from one viscus to another, or towards the outside of the skin. Patients suffering from pneumaturia often develop a fistula. But in most cases, symptoms are not very easy to recognize. They may be diarrhoea, deafness or dizziness.
Therefore, the diagnosis of this disease is mainly based on clinical examinations and radiology of the affected organs. For the radiology to be reliable, one must conduct a fistulography that consists of injecting a dye that will make the fistula visible on the X-ray. In some cases, the physician will first need to conduct surgery on the patient to see the fistula’s path in the tissues. Given that there are many types of fistulas, diagnosis differs from patient to patient.
Among the most popular types of fistulas, one can include anal fistula, which affects a portion of the rectum. Some fistulas are urinary and are caused by complications of a tumour. One can also list respiratory, arterio-venous, nasal or peri-auricular fistulas. These fistulas can be less painful and easier to handle with the help of homoeopathy.
The homoeopathic treatment depends on the type of fistula that develops. One of the easiest to treat is dental fistula. Silicea 4 CH is prescribed in case of fistulas with suppuration without inflammatory signs. It is first applied in low dilution twice a day, before gradually increasing the dilution level. Persons suffering from fistulas due to decaying caries with pus may be relieved by Fluoric Acid. Finally, Hekla Lava 5 CH is used for chronic dental fistulas accompanied by parodontopathies, and should be taken two or three times a day until the patient is relieved.
Fistulas that are the source of haemorrhoids can also cause varicose veins to appear in the anorectal region. For such complex cases, we recommend combining Berberis 5 CH with Silicea 7 CH, taking 3 granules of each three times a day. In addition, Berberis 5 and 9 CH is prescribed in the treatment of regular anal fistulas. However, some fistulas require the intervention of a medical specialist.
Patients who develop an arterio-venous fistula should undergo surgery to break the connection between the artery and the vein. Note that patients undergoing renal dialysis actually need an arterio-venous fistula to facilitate hemodialysis treatment. Innate or acquired tracheoesophageal fistulas innate need to be treated in a hospital. The first requires surgery, while for the second, it is necessary to install a medical implant that will allow the patient to live with the fustula.
• Pyrogenium
Good to know: Prior to any kind of treatment, it is essential to conduct a thorough diagnosis to rule out more severe disorders such as arterio-venous fistulas.
