FISTULA
The Kabaka of Buganda in Uganda through the Kabaka's birthday runs every year, decided to collect funds to help mothers suffering from fistula ( ekikulukuto in local language). Do you really know the meaning of fistula?
A fistula is an abnormal connection between two body parts, such as an organ or blood vessel and another structure.
Information
VAGINAL FISTULA
VAGINAL FISTULA COMPLICATIONS
Fistulas are usually the result of an injury or surgery. Infection or inflammation can also cause a fistula to form
Fistulas may occur in many parts of the body. They can form between;
* An artery and vein
* Bile ducts and the surface of the skin (from gall bladder surgery)
* The cervix and vagina
* The neck and throat
* Space inside the skull and nasal sinus
* Bowel/rectum/anus and vagina
* Urethra and vagina.
A vaginal fistula is an unusual opening that connects your vagina to another organ.
For example, vaginal fistula can link your vagina to your;
1.Bladder
2.Ureters, tubes that carry urine from kidneys to the bladder
3. Urethra,tube that carries urine down to outside the body
A vaginal fistula doesn't usually hurt,but it can cause some problems that need medical attention.
If you have a vesicovaginal fistula, urine will constantly leak from your bladder into your vagina. This makes you unable to control urination
Also genital area may get infected or sores,and you can have pain during intercourse.
Other symptoms of vaginal fistulas include;
Fever, belly pain, diarrhea, weight loss, nausea, vomiting.
VAGINAL FISTULA IS CAUSED BY
child birth
During labor,the head of the baby may wear off the lining of the vagina and the rectum or bladder
Abdominal surgery like cesarean section
Pelvic, cervical or colon cancer
Radiation treatment causing holes into the vagina and correspondent organs.
(fistula between blood vessels)
Bowel diseases that like Crohn's or diverticulitis
Infection ( including after an episiotomy or tear you had when you gave birth)
Traumatic injury such as from a car accident.
VAGINAL FISTULA TREATMENT
Some fistulas may heal on their own. If it's a small bladder fistula, your doctor might want to try putting a small tube called a catheter into your bladder to drain the urine and give the fistula time to heal by itself.
They might also use a special glue or plug made of natural proteins to seal or fill the fistula. They can also give you an antibiotic to treat an infection caused by the fistula.
Many who have fistulas need surgery. What kind of surgery depends on the type of fistula and where it is.
It could be a laparoscopic,in which your doctor makes small cuts and inserts cameras and tools. Or it could be abdominal surgery,where you get a regular incision with a tool called a scalpel.
For vaginal fistula that connects to your return, your doctor might;
Sew a special patch over the fistula.
Take tissue from another place in your body to close it.
Fold a flap of healthy tissue over the fistula.
Fix the muscles of your anus if they're damaged
Vaginal fistula can be upsetting and embarrassing when they leak and cause bad smells.
But they can also cause complications like;
Vaginal or urinary tract infections that keep coming back.
Hygiene problems
Stool or gas that leaks through the vagina
Irritated or inflamed skin around your vagina or anus
A swollen clamp of infected tissue with pus that could be dangerous without treatment
Fistulas that come back
Permanent fistulas.
Women who have Crohn's disease and develop a fistula have a high risk of complications such as fistulas forming again later or fistulas that don't properly heal.
For the above information therefore, mothers are encouraged to go for antenatal care and report any complications following labor, visit your doctor for further information and care and more linient knowledge about fistula . Thanks for visiting and following kajohan.blogspot.com.
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