An anal fistula is a chronic abnormal condition in the tract or tunnel, lined by granulation tissue, that connects the anal canal or rectum to the skin around the anus. It develops as a result of a previous anorectal abscess. There is a characteristic recurrent discharge of pus or serous fluid, along with pain, irritation, and sometimes bleeding, especially during defecation.
Effectiveness of Homoeopathic Treatment in Anal Fistula
Homeopathy is the best alternative to conventional treatment for curing many diseases including anal fistula that need surgical intervention. Homeopathic medicines for anal fistula treat the condition gently with no side effects because of their natural origin. Initially, these medicines manage the signs and symptoms mentioned above. The natural medicines also assist in regularising bowel movements and treating hard stool, which could otherwise worsen the symptoms. Simultaneously, they halt the further worsening of the medical condition. Afterwards, with regular use of these medicines, gradual healing of the anal tract takes place. The results, however, vary depending on the severity and complexity of the problem.
Homeopathy treats anal fistula cases by improving the body’s own restorative healing processes. It uses highly diluted substances to heal the body from within. It helps fight germs causing pus formation and expels them out of the body and thus begins gentle healing process. In this way it brings natural recovery to fistula cases with no harmful after effects.
Individualized Homoeopathic Care for Anal Fistula
Homeopathic medicines are administered depending on how the case presents itself. Since the signs and symptoms vary from from one person to another, so does the homeopathic prescription. Also the potency, dose and repetition of medicines differ on a case-to-case basis. Therefore, it is advised to avoid self-medication and always consult a qualified homeopath for the correct prescription.
Homoeopathy as a Non-Surgical Solution for Anal Fistula
Homeopathy is really beneficial for the treatment of the anal fistula both in recently as well as chronic cases. In mainstream medicine, usually surgery is recommended to treat anal fistula that carries a risk to re-formation even after surgical correction. However, homeopathy can save a person from undergoing surgical procedures in most of the cases. Though, homeopathic remedy in fistula cases is a time-consuming process, it is the best alternative to surgical intervention.
Best 10 Homeopathic Remedies For Anal Fistula
The 10 medicines that top the list for anal fistula treatment are Silicea, Hepar Sulph, Myristica Sebifera, Calcarea Sulphurica , Berberis Vulgaris, Calcarea Phosphorica, Paeonia Officinalis, Causticum, Carbo Vegetabilis and Thuja Occidentalis.
1. Silicea – For Anal Fistula With Copious Pus Discharge
Silicea is the most widely administered remedy for cases of anal fistula in homeopathy. It has an ability to resolve multiple medical problems where pus formation occurs including anal fistula. The way it controls the process of pus formation is magnificent. It can be administered in anal fistula cases if there is copious pus discharge. Sometimes blood may be present in the discharge. The discharge is also foul-smelling and putrid. The discharge is accompanied by perianal swelling. Sharp, stitching pain in the rectum may be felt especially while walking. While passing stool, burning and itching may be felt at the anus. Silicea is also administered for anal fistula if there is brownish fluid discharge and/or accompanied by constipation. Silicea is also administered to treat hardness/indurations left around the anus after the healing of an anal fistula.
When to use Silicea?
This is a wonderful choice to treat anal fistula accompanied by excessive pus discharge that can sometimes be blood stained.
How to use Silicea?
Among its different potencies, the most commonly used is 6X power. Silicea 6X can be administered three to four times a day depending upon the severity of the symptoms.
2. Hepar Sulphuricum – For Anal fistula with Severe Pain
Hepar Sulphuricum is the best medicine to treat anal fistula accompanied by intense pain. It works in cases where the area around the perianal region is hard, highly inflamed and swollen, and is very sore and sensitive to touch. The pain, in most cases aggravates at night. Cold worsens the pain. Other symptoms may include throbbing or beating sensation around the anus. It is administered if the pus is present in the tract but hasn’t begun to discharge. This medicine will aid pus drainage from fistula tract followed by symptomatic relief. The discharge of pus from the anal fistula may be blood-stained and may smell like decaying matter. The patient may also have fever with chills.
When to use Hepar Sulphuricum?
Hepar Sulphuricum is administered in case of anal fistula with pus formation accompanied by throbbing pains, marked swelling, and the area around the anus is sensitive to any kind of touch.
How to use Hepar Sulphuricum?
Hepar Sulphuricum 30 is administered two to or three times a day based on the intensity of the condition.
3. Myristica Sebifera – Top grade remedy for Fistula
Myristica Sebifera is another natural medicine of plant origin and is used to treat many suppurative (pus forming) conditions including anal fistula. This remedy works wonders in expelling the pus readily and in healing anal fistula. It speeds up the process of pus drainage and cuts short the healing process. Use of this medicine often prevents the need for surgery in cases of anal fistula.
When to use Myristica Sebifera?
This medicine can be administered in anal fistula cases to speed up the process of pus drainage and shorten the recovery time.
How to use Myristica Sebifera?
Myristica Sebifera is administered in 30C potency one to two times daily.
4. Calcarea Sulphurica – For Thick, Yellowish Discharges
Calcarea Sulphurica is beneficial to treat anal fistula with thick and yellowish discharge of the pus. The discharge is often blood-stained. It is administered when the pus is already oozing out of an anal fistula opening on the skin. Calcarea Sulphurica aids in hastening pus expulsion. Pain is also felt noticeably in the anal region.
When to use Calcarea Sulphurica?
One may opt for it when there is thick yellowish discharge of the pus along with anal pain.
How to use Calcarea Sulphurica?
Usually its biochemic form is preferred in 6X power in most of the cases. Calcarea Sulphurica 6X can be used two to three times a day.
5. Berberis Vulgaris – For Anal fistula with Shooting and Stitching Pain
Berberis Vulgaris works wonderfully in cases where there is shooting pain around the anus. In addition to this, a stitching pain around the anus also points towards the use of Berberis Vulgaris. Tearing pain around the anus along with burning sensation is also felt. The skin around the anus gets very sore and is accompanied by itching, that worsens by the evening.
When to use Berberis Vulgaris?
Berberis Vulgaris can be administered for managing anal fistula with shooting or stitching pain along with itching and soreness around anal region.
How to use Berberis Vulgaris?
This medicine can be administered in both low and high power. However, to begin initiate with low potency dose like 30C that can be taken once to twice daily.
6. Calcarea Phosphorica – For Painless Fistula
If there is painless anal fistula Calcarea Phosphorica is the best remedy. In such cases, there is blood and pus discharge from the anal fistula. These discharges can be accompanied by a warm or burning sensation around the anus. Another key symptom for using Calcarea Phosphorica is anal fistula alternating with chest complaints. Calcarea Phosphorica hastens the healing process of anal fistula resulting in fast recuperation.
When to use Calcarea Phosphorica?
This medicine is apt for cases of anal fistula accompanied by pus or blood discharge without any pain.
How to use Calcarea Phosphorica?
This medicine is frequently prescribed in 6X power. Calcarea Phosphorica 6X can be administered three to four times every day depending on the case.
7. Paeonia Officinalis – For Pain And Itching At Anus
Paeonia Officinalis is a natural medicine for anal fistula treatment. For those who need it, there is persistent oozing of fluid from the fistula track. The fluid is extremely offensive in smell and there is also much pain in the anus region. Sitting aggravates the pain.
Itching and biting sensation around the anus also accompanies. Burning sensation at the anus is also felt. Apart from anal fistula, Paeonia Officinalis is also a good remedy for treating anal fissures and piles.
When to use Paeonia Officinalis?
It is a good medicine to deal with anal fistula cases if there persistent oozing from fistula along with anal itching and pain that usually worsens when one sits.
How to use Paeonia Officinalis?
This medicine is best used in 30C power and can be repeated twice a day.
8. Causticum – For Anal fistula with Pulsating Pain
Causticum works wonderfully when in anal fistula cases, pulsating pain is felt around the anus region. The pulsations are of high intensity in the perineum. The anal fistula discharges blood, pus, and serum. Along with anal fistula, haemorrhoids may also be present. The haemorrhoids are hard, swollen, and large. Other accompanying symptoms include hard stool, covered with mucus that has greasy, shiny appearance.
When to use Causticum?
This medicine is used to manage pulsating pains at the anus in anal fistula cases.
How to use Causticum?
Causticum can be administered in 30C potency two times daily for best possible results.
results.
9. Carbo Vegetabilis – For Anal fistula with Marked Burning In The Anus
Carbo Vegetabilis works wonders in cases of anal fistula. There is a corrosive and acrid discharge from the anus. The anus gets sore, with burning and itching, especially at night. Stool is extremely offensive, the odour is cadaverous, and is followed by marked burning. Other indications include bluish, burning haemorrhoids, at times accompanied by bleeding from the anus and pain after one has passed stool.
When to Use Carbo Vegetabilis?
It is well-administered for anal fistula with burning, sore in the anus.
How to take Carbo Vegetabilis ?
One can be administered a dose of 30C potency, once a day.
One can be administered higher potencies as well such as 200C, 1M but only after a qualified homeopath has been consulted.
10. Thuja Occidentalis – For Fistula With Burning Around the Anus
Thuja Occidentalis is considered best for anal fistula if there is an accompanying burning pain around the anus. Soreness is felt around the anus the whole day, along with burning sensation. Stitching pain, as from a needle pricking in the perianal region, may also be felt. Perianal pains aggravates after walking. Offensive sweat around the anus may also be present along with the above symptoms.
When to use Thuja Occidentalis?
It is prescribed for anal fistula cases when accompanied by marked burning around anus and also stitching or pricking pains.
How to use Thuja Occidentalis?
It is a remedy that acts deep and mostly is to be used in 30C potency, once a day.
Types of Anal Fistula
Anal fistulas are classified based on the course of the fistulous tract and its relationship to the anal sphincter muscles.
1. Intersphincteric fistula: The most common type; the tract runs between the internal and external sphincter muscles and opens near the anal margin.
2. Transphincteric fistula: Passes through both sphincter muscles and opens onto the perianal skin; often follows a perianal abscess.
3. Suprasphincteric fistula: The tract ascends above the external sphincter, then curves downward to open near the anus.
4. Extrasphincteric fistula: It runs outside the sphincter complex, usually arising from pelvic infection, trauma, or previous surgery.
Anal Fistula: What Causes It?
An anal fistula arises from a clogged anal gland, followed by an infection in anal gland. Anal glands are present in the wall of anal canal that secrete fluid. These can at times get clogged by foreign particles like faecal bacteria that may cause infection in anal glands.
Due to the infection, an abscess is formed which drains by itself or via surgery through a skin point around the anus. Anal fistula refers to a tunnel that develops along this tract running from the anal gland to a hole in the skin surrounding the anus.
Risk Factor for Anal fistula
Some of factors that increases risk of anal fistula are as follows:
1. An infection or trauma to anal region
2. The healing has not been proper of an anal abscess (pus filled mass) following pus drainage
3. A surgery near the anus
4. Having IBD means inflammatory disease, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. It is an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation in gastrointestinal tract, diverticulitis (infected pouch in colon), tuberculosis and certain sexually transmitted infections (e.g. HIV, syphilis)
5. Treatment of anal cancer through radiation.
6. Chances of anal fistula are more in males than
Signs And Symptoms Of Anal Fistula
1. An opening (hole) on the skin near the anus and fluid/pus discharge from that opening. The discharge may even be blood-stained. The discharge may be foul smelling. Rarely, faecal discharge may occur.
2. Perianal swelling, inflammation, redness, and The pain could vary in nature from pulsating, throbbing, sharp and tearing, to a stitching pain. The pain usually worsens during bowel movement and also while walking or sitting. There may be tenderness around the opening of the fistula. After fistula drains, there may be relief from pain.
3. Burning and irritation or itching in the perianal area are other accompanying symptoms
4. Fever and chills may also be felt in a few cases
5. A feeling of weakness may accompany the above
Diagnosis Of Anal Fistula
To diagnose anal fistula, a physician scrutinizes the perianal area where a hole is seen in anal fistula (denoting its external opening) that in most cases drains pus or fluid. To detect internal opening and the entire tract of anal fistula, the following tests are recommended:
1. Anoscopy: The doctor views inside the anus and the rectum using a medical equipment
2. MRI and an ultrasound of anal region to see complete path of fistula tract
3. Anal Fistulogram: It is an X-ray process (taken after injecting a contrast) to view fistula
4. Colonoscopy: If ulcerative colitis is also suspected
Complications Of Anal Fistula
If anal fistula is not treated properly, recurrence of abscess near anus is possible and there are chances of developing a complex fistula. Faecal incontinence (inability to hold stool), and cellulitis (skin infection) are other complications. The surgery of anal fistula has its own complications like faecal incontinence and recurrence of anal fistula.
How to manage Anal Fistula
Its management focuses on not just the local lesion but also on the overall well-being of the patient. By addressing lifestyle modifications, dietary habits, bowel discipline, and general health, it helps manage anal fistula more effectively. A fiber-rich diet including fresh fruits, green leafy vegetables, whole grains, and salads, along with good hydration, helps maintain soft and regular stool and reduces straining. Probiotic foods such as buttermilk and curd support healthy digestion.
Regular physical activity such as yoga, brisk walk, stretching, and light exercises improve bowel motility and pelvic circulation. Day-to-day lifestyle modifications such as avoiding prolonged sitting, maintaining proper anal hygiene, taking warm sitz baths, following a fixed bowel routine, and managing stress further supports the healing. This holistic approach helps in effective, long-term management and also helps prevent recurrence by correcting the underlying contributing factors.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can anal fistula heal on its own?
Anal fistulas normally do not heal spontaneously and require proper medical cure to prevent recurrence and complications.
2. Is surgery always required for anal fistula?
No, not always. The treatment approach depends on the intensity, type, and also how chronic the fistula is. With appropriate lifestyle modifications, dietary regulation, and individualized homoeopathic treatment aimed at the root cause, one can prevent surgery.
3. What is the difference between Fistula and sinus?
A sinus is a blind-ending tract that opens on the skin surface but has no internal opening into a hollow organ. It usually results from chronic infection or retained debris.
A fistula is an abnormal communicating tract connecting two epithelial surfaces, such as the anal canal and perianal skin, and has both external and internal openings.
4. What complications can occur if anal fistula is left untreated?
Untreated fistulas can lead to recurrent infections, abscess formation, pain, persistent discharge, and in rare cases systemic infection can occur.
5. Can homoeopathy help in the treatment of anal fistula?
Yes, homoeopathic treatment is holistic and it addresses the root cause, improving immunity, and promoting natural healing.
6. How long does homoeopathic treatment take to show results?
The time period depends on the type, depth, and chronicity of the fistula. Also, the patient’s overall health matters. Improvement is usually gradual.
7. Can homoeopathy help in preventing recurrence of anal fistula?
Yes, homoeopathy zeroes in on treating the root cause, improving tissue healing, and strengthening immunity, that further helps in reducing the tendency for recurrence.
8. Can homoeopathy be administered with conventional medicine for anal fistula?
Yes, homoeopathy can be administered alongside conventional medicines. A minimum gap of 15-20 minutes is required between the ingestion of two medicines.
9. Is homoeopathy safe for long-term use in anal fistula?
Yes, when prescribed by a qualified homoeopath, these medicines are usually safe for long-term use and cause no side effects.