Video library

Colorectal health, explained

43 short videos on the conditions patients ask about most — what they are, why they happen, and what treatment actually involves. Recorded and reviewed by Dr. Kamrava.

• Pilonidal Disease: Causes, Symptoms & Treatment GuideThis content defines Pilonidal Disease (known during WWII as "Jeep disease") as an acquired condition, not congenital. It occurs when loose hair gets trapped under the skin in the natal cleft (crease at the top of the buttocks), which the body walls off, leading to inflammation, cysts, and potential abscesses. Risk factors include a deep natal cleft, coarse hair, sitting for long periods, obesity, and family history. Diagnosis is typically made via a simple physical exam. Treatment is individualized and patient-focused. Options range from conservative management (keeping the area clean/dry, hair removal, avoiding prolonged sitting) to surgical interventions. Surgical trade-offs exist between the lay open procedure (low recurrence, slow healing) and excision and closure (faster healing, higher recurrence). Advanced techniques, such as flap procedures (e.g., Cleft Lift), are used for recurrent cases to flatten the cleft's anatomy. Recurrence rates can be up to 34% after one year, making long-term hair removal and lifestyle changes vital.
• Understanding and Treating Crohn's Disease in the Anal AreaThis guide focuses on Perianal Crohn's disease, which affects 13% to 38% of people with Crohn's. Symptoms include persistent pain, swelling, drainage, and bleeding. Diagnosis utilizes physical exam, MRI (to map the internal structure), and sometimes an Exam Under Anesthesia (EUA) for thorough checking without pain. Treatment follows the "golden rule": eliminating active infection first. Abscesses (painful pockets of pus) require quick surgical drainage for pain relief and infection control. Fistulas (small tunnels) are treated with a combined approach: medical therapy using Biologics (Anti-TNF drugs) to address the underlying inflammation, and surgical placement of a seton (a soft drain) to allow for clean, slow healing and prevent recurrence. Other associated issues (fissures, ulcers) are usually managed by treating the underlying Crohn's. The overall treatment goal is eliminating pain and infection while preserving normal bowel function and improving the patient’s quality of life.