Question Title: Fistula or What??

Hi my name is Mikki, I am a 42 year old lady with several problems. I have had several years of diarrah,pain,blood in stool etc. Just recently I have started having lots of pain in my seft lower quadrant,excessive urination, blood in stool not massive, and gas which seems to pass from my vagina or urtheral area. I am in them middle of changing drs due to HMO. I am going tomorrow to see new GP, My other doc seem to be concerned with a fistula.
My blood work is as follows high cholestrol, and ldl, high Lymphs, very low neutrophils, a litle low HGB and HCT and low globulin.
Cancer runs in my family rampant. I was just wondering what is a fistula actually how is it treated. And what are the true symptoms of this.. Thank you very much for your time. I am very glad for this forum..

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Dear Mikki,
A fistula is a connection between two structures that are usually not connected, for example a connection between the colon and vagina or the colon and bladder. Passage of gas or stool from the vagina or urthra is a common complaint. There are a number of conditions that must be considered when a fistula between bowel and bladder or bladder is detected. Crohn's disease is a very frequent cause. Perforated colonic diverticulum and colon tumor must also be excluded.

Often surgery is required to close a fistula, although in patients with crohn's disease medical therapy may be tried. The rush to surgery is often driven by the severity of the patient's complaints.

This information is presented for informational purposes only. Always consult your physician for specific medical questions.

HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: fistula, Crohn's Disease
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