How do you know if you have an intestinal fistula?

Your doctor will check for tenderness or pain in your abdomen and may listen to sounds inside your abdomen using a stethoscope. Your doctor will examine any opening in your skin to determine if you may have an external colonic fistula.

What causes gastric fistula?

Fistulas are usually the result of trauma or surgery, but can also result from infection or inflammation. The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.

What is gastrointestinal fistula?

A gastrointestinal fistula is an abnormal opening in the stomach or intestines that allows the contents to leak. Leaks that go through to a part of the intestines are called entero-enteral fistulas. Leaks that go through to the skin are called enterocutaneous fistulas.

What does a gastrointestinal fistula feel like?

GI fistulas that join two distant parts of the digestive tract or another organ can cause symptoms including: Abdominal pain or pain in the area between the genitals and anus (perineum) Diarrhea or gas, which may be severe.

What does fistula pain feel like?

Symptoms of an anal fistula can include: skin irritation around the anus. a constant, throbbing pain that may be worse when you sit down, move around, poo or cough. smelly discharge from near your anus.

What does an abdominal fistula feel like?

Some fistulas may not have any symptoms. Fistulas that connect to the skin may be obvious, with an opening and noticeable leakage. When the connection is internal, signs and symptoms can be general. Abdominal pain or diarrhea may be the only symptoms.

How serious is an intestinal fistula?

A person with a gastrointestinal fistula can become very ill and may develop a condition known as sepsis. This is where a person’s body attacks itself as a reaction to a severe infection. Sepsis causes a range of symptoms, such as low blood pressure, high fever, high heart rate, and organ failure.

Do fistulas cause gas?

A rectovaginal fistula is an abnormal connection between the lower portion of your large intestine — your rectum — and your vagina. Bowel contents can leak through the fistula, allowing gas or stool to pass through your vagina.

Can you pass gas through a fistula?

A fistula allows urine, feces, and/or gas to pass through the vagina and can be difficult to correct. Fistulas develop for a variety of reasons including childbirth, surgical complications, inflammatory bowel disease, pelvic cancers, and radiation treatment.