An anal fistula is a small channel that develops between the skin close to the anus and the end of the bowel. Anal fistula is typically caused by an infection close to the anus, which is triggering a collection of pus in the nearby tissue. Once this pus drains away, a small channel is left behind.
Inflammations of small glands around the anus tend to inflame over and over again. This leads to anal fistulas, narrow burrows and one or more openings in the skin. Anal fistulas are small channels connecting the skin close to the anus and the last part of the bowel. Anal fistulas are found usually among people who have a history of anal abscess. These fistulas occur when an anal abscess that is drained does not heal completely. Treatment is usually required in order to ease symptoms and minimize the chances of an infection within a fistula. Anal fistulas are categorized into various types based on their localization.
The opening of the fistula is visible from the outside near the anus. Often it drains liquid, in case of bigger fistulas even stool. Caused by the drainage of liquids from the fistula, the surrounding skin is often reddened and itching. If the ostium is blocked, it can cause swelling and abscess formation with sharp pain.
Often the doctor can diagnose an anal fistula by visual inspection, palpation and probing. A rectum endoscopy is usually conducted for planning of further treatment. Surgery is then necessary to remove the whole fistula and to avoid possible complications.
Several years of work in academia, medical practice and finally commercialization make it possible to provide an end-to-end process to help users to “find the appropriate medical help based on their present symptoms”. Below you will find a short explanation, showing you which part of the platform will help you best in finding the appropriate medical support.
Proceed as follows to enter your current symptoms.
Click on the appropriate body part on the picture. Select one/multiple symptoms corresponding to your complaint.
You can also add symptoms by typing your medical complaint in the search box and selecting the best matching suggestion.
Note: Your information will be kept anonymously.
Once you have selected all applicable symptoms, click the “analyze disease pattern”-button.
Accordingly, you will get a list of possible diseases and matching doctor categories who can further help you.
You can inform yourself about the possible diseases by reading the related information. But you can also return to the previous step and add more symptoms or delete already added ones to further narrow down your disease pattern.
Click on the desired doctor category to find a doctor who can help you.
If you are logged in with your profile, you will be displayed the appropriate doctors in your area. Otherwise you can enter an address in the “address” field and you will be displayed a doctor’s list around that specified address.
You will receive further information about the displayed doctors when you press on “details”.
Online bookable doctors in your area will be indicated with the notation “Book appointment” or “Book externally”, additionally they will be displayed on top of the list for your convenience.
Click on “Book appointment” to start the online appointment booking process with the desired doctor.
Please select an available appointment. “Green“ appointments are booked directly. “Red“ appointments need to be confirmed by the doctor.
Enter your general personal and health information.
Enter your present medical symptoms.
Enter your mobile phone number to identify yourself and you can finalize the appointment booking.
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