Fecal Incontinence
24+ years of experience 20,000+ patients treated. Insurance facilities are available for laparoscopic Fecal Incontinence
repair.
What are Fecal Incontinence ?
Fecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements, causing accidental bowel leakage of stool. This condition can result from damage to the muscles or nerves around the anus or from persistent digestive issues. It affects individuals of all ages, impacting daily activities and quality of life.
Types of Fecal Incontinence
Fecal incontinence can be classified into several types, each with distinct characteristics:
- 1.Urge Incontinence
- 2.Passive Incontinence
- 3.Fecal Seepage
- 4.Overflow Incontinence
Treatments for Fecal Incontinence
There are various treatments available for fecal incontinence that focus on managing symptoms and improving quality of life:
Dietary Changes
Adjusting the diet can help manage diarrhea and constipation, common triggers of fecal incontinence. Increasing fiber intake can aid in creating bulkier, softer stools, which are easier to control. Limiting foods that irritate the digestive system, such as spicy foods and caffeinated beverages, can also help.
Medications
Certain medications can help manage the symptoms of fecal incontinence. Anti-diarrheal drugs like loperamide can reduce the frequency of bowel movements and firm up stools, while laxatives can help alleviate constipation by softening stools, making them easier to pass without strain.
Pelvic Floor Exercises
Strengthening the muscles of the pelvic floor through targeted exercises can enhance sphincter control and reduce leakage. These exercises are often recommended alongside biofeedback therapy, which helps patients learn to control these muscles more effectively.
Surgery
For severe cases where other treatments have not been effective, surgery might be considered. Surgical options include sphincter repair, where damaged muscles are surgically corrected, or the installation of a synthetic sphincter to help control bowel movements. Another surgical option is a colostomy, which redirects the bowel to an opening in the abdomen where waste is collected in a bag.
Biofeedback Therapy
This treatment uses sensors to monitor the muscular activity of the pelvic floor and helps teach patients how to strengthen and control these muscles effectively. Biofeedback is particularly useful for those who struggle with muscle coordination needed for bowel control.
Injectable Bulking Agents
Injections of bulking agents into the walls of the anal canal can help improve the ability to control stools by narrowing the anal canal slightly and increasing resistance to stool passage.
These treatments can be tailored to meet the specific needs and severity of fecal incontinence in each patient, aiming to restore normal function as much as possible and improve the patient’s lifestyle.