Anal Fistula and Raw Food
A diet that includes raw fruits, vegetables and nuts may reduce the symptoms of an anal fistula and promote wound healing. Bowel movements can cause severe pain with an anal fistula, especially if digestive wastes are hard and difficult to pass. A diet for anal fistula should emphasize nutritious high-fiber foods that ease bowel movements and support the formation of healthy new tissue.
Causes
A bacterial infection is often the underlying cause of an anal fistula, an abnormal, tunnel-like opening leading from the anus to the skin surrounding the anus or to an internal organ. A bacterial infection in the anus or rectum may cause an abscess, or a pocket of pus, to form. If the abscess ruptures, the underlying wound may form a fistula. An anal fistula may cause pain and irritation around the rectum and anus and may trigger a fever as your body fights the infection. People with Crohn’s disease, a chronic inflammatory bowel condition that can damage the tissues of the digestive tract, are prone to developing anal fistulas. Colorectal cancer, diverticulitis, an anal or rectal injury, or radiation treatment may also cause an anal fistula.
- A bacterial infection is often the underlying cause of an anal fistula, an abnormal, tunnel-like opening leading from the anus to the skin surrounding the anus or to an internal organ.
- An anal fistula may cause pain and irritation around the rectum and anus and may trigger a fever as your body fights the infection.
Treatment
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University of Iowa Health Care recommends a high-fiber diet as part of a comprehensive treatment program for anal fistula 2. Fiber bulks up stool and makes bowel movements easier to pass, reducing strain on the anal sphincter and preventing painful constipation. Drinking water and other noncaffeinated fluids throughout the day will soften stool and ease bowel movements. Your health care provider may advise adding psyllium seed or another natural fiber supplement to your diet to promote bowel activity and soften digestive wastes. A comprehensive treatment plan may also include warm sitz baths and suppositories or ointments to minimize pain and inflammation. Surgery may be required if the fistula does not heal promptly.
- University of Iowa Health Care recommends a high-fiber diet as part of a comprehensive treatment program for anal fistula 2.
- Your health care provider may advise adding psyllium seed or another natural fiber supplement to your diet to promote bowel activity and soften digestive wastes.
Nutritional Benefits
Vegetables, fruits and nuts offer vitamins and minerals that support your immune system and speed wound healing. Beta carotene, a plant-based compound found in orange, yellow, red vegetables and fruits and in green leafy vegetables, converts to vitamin A when food is digested. Vitamin A supports the integrity of the skin and the tissues that line body cavities. Vitamin C, found in citrus fruits, tomatoes and many other fruits and vegetables, boosts the immune system and helps your body resist infection. Almonds, cashew nuts and peanuts contain zinc, a mineral that contributes to new cell formation and wound healing. Raw produce retains a higher amount of water-soluble nutrients, such as vitamins B and C, than do cooked fruits and vegetables. However, unless you have a preference for raw food, eating baked, steamed or roasted foods that are high in fiber may be equally beneficial for healthy digestion and wound healing.
- Vegetables, fruits and nuts offer vitamins and minerals that support your immune system and speed wound healing.
- Almonds, cashew nuts and peanuts contain zinc, a mineral that contributes to new cell formation and wound healing.
Precautions
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While a diet that emphasizes raw food may help an anal fistula heal, high-fiber foods may worsen symptoms in people with Crohn’s disease, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes 3. Steamed, baked or boiled vegetables and fruits may be easier to digest if eating raw foods causes gas, indigestion, bloating or abdominal pain. Some nutritious foods can increase your risk of a foodborne illness when eaten raw. While shellfish is high in zinc, a mineral that promotes wound healing, raw shellfish may contain harmful bacteria and parasites. Talk with your health care provider or a nutritionist about a diet that will meet your nutritional needs while promoting healing of an anal fistula.
- While a diet that emphasizes raw food may help an anal fistula heal, high-fiber foods may worsen symptoms in people with Crohn’s disease, the University of Maryland Medical Center notes 3.
- Steamed, baked or boiled vegetables and fruits may be easier to digest if eating raw foods causes gas, indigestion, bloating or abdominal pain.
Related Articles
References
- The Merck Manual Home Health Handbook: Anorectal Fistula
- University of Iowa Health Care: Anal Fissure and Fistulas
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Crohn’s Disease
- Linus Pauling Institute Micronutrient Information Center: Zinc
- Schwartz DA, Tagarro I, Carmen Díez M, Sandborn WJ. Prevalence of fistulizing Crohn’s disease in the United States: estimate from a systematic literature review attempt and population-based database analysis. Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. 2019;25(11):1773-1779. doi:10.1093/ibd/izz056
- Stanford Health Care. Conditions treated by fistula repair.
- University of California San Francisco. Enterocutaneous fistula.
- Scozzari G, Arezzo A, Morino M. Enterovesical fistulas: diagnosis and management. Tech Coloproctol. 2010;14(4):293-300. doi:10.1007/s10151-010-0602-3
- NIH National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Colonic & anorectal fistulas. Updated August 2019.
- Medline Plus. Intravenous pyelogram (IVP).
- Johns Hopkins Medicine. Anal fistula.
- MedlinePlus. Sepsis.
- National Kidney Foundation. Peritonitis.
- Gold SL, Cohen-Mekelburg S, Schneider Y, Steinlauf A. Perianal fistulas in patients with Crohn’s disease, part 1: current medical management. Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2018;14(8):470-481.
- Yan D, Ren J, Wang G, Liu S, Li J. Predictors of response to enteral nutrition in abdominal enterocutaneous fistula patients with Crohn's disease. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2014;68(8):959-963. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2014.31
- Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Small and large bowel resection.
- Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Fistula removal.
- Cleveland Clinic. When fistula interferes with your life, get help. Updated July 15, 2015.
- Cleveland Clinic. Anal fistula: diagnosis and tests. Updated February 14, 2019.
- Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation. Fact sheet. Updated January 2015.
- de la Piscina PR, Duca I, Estrada S, et al. Effectiveness of infliximab in the treatment of perianal fistulas in ulcerative colitis: report of two cases. Annals of gastroenterology. 2013;26(3):261-263.
- Hamadani A, Haigh PI, Liu IA, Abbas MA. Who is at risk for developing chronic anal fistula or recurrent anal sepsis after initial perianal abscess? Diseases of the Colon & Rectum. 2009;52(2):217-221. doi:10.1007/DCR.0b013e31819a5c52
- IBD relief. Fistulas and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
- Tabry H, Farrands PA. Update on anal fistulae: surgical perspectives for the gastroenterologist. Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology. 2011;25(12):675-680. doi:10.1155/2011/931316
- Timbol ABG, Co VC, Djajakusuma AV, Banez VP. Duodenocolic fistula diagnosed by endoscopy: a rare complication of colon cancer. BMJ Case Reports. 2017. doi:10.1136/bcr-2016-218050
- University Health Network. Toronto General Hospital. What to expect when having a fistulogram. Updated July 2017.
- University of California San Francisco Health. Enterocutaneous fistula diagnosis.
- University of Florida Health. Peritonitis — spontaneous bacterial.
Writer Bio
Anne Tourney specializes in health and nutrition topics. She is a registered nurse with experience in medical-surgical nursing, behavioral health and geriatrics. Tourney earned a Bachelor of Science in nursing from Regis University.