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Fecal incontinence is a problem people find hard to discuss and frequently try to manage without seeking professional help. The team at Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery in Gilbert, Arizona, aims to make fecal incontinence a more comfortable topic for patients so they can get the treatment they need. If you have fecal incontinence, you can be sure of a knowledgeable, understanding and expert treatments at Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery. Call the office to schedule a consultation or book an appointment using the online form today.
What is fecal incontinence?
Fecal incontinence means being unable to hold in stool or gas until you reach a toilet. You might experience a small amount of leakage, often of liquid stool, or be unable to retain complete bowel movements.
Not only is this distressing when it occurs, but it also makes people reluctant to leave home because of the risk of having an accident while out. Those who experience fecal incontinence often feel embarrassed and self-conscious about their problem and find it hard to discuss the issue with anyone, including their healthcare provider.
If you’re affected by fecal incontinence, the Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery team offers understanding, compassion, and effective solutions to your problem.
What might cause fecal incontinence?
One of the primary reasons for fecal incontinence is anal sphincter damage. The sphincter muscles in your anus control the release of stools from your rectum. Should the muscles weaken or suffer an injury, they may not function properly, allowing stools to escape.
The nerves in the anal sphincter can suffer damage, which affects the signals they send to the muscles and could cause your anus to open before you’re ready.
Other problems affecting the rectum and anus that can lead to fecal incontinence include:
- Colorectal cancer
- Childbirth
- Anal surgery
- Traumatic injury to the anal region
- Neurological disorders
- Spinal cord injuries
- Nerve complications from diabetes
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- The aging process
You might also get overflow incontinence if there’s a large volume of stool or diarrhea and leakage around an impacted fecal mass if you have severe constipation.
The Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery team specializes in using advanced techniques like anal manometry and endoanal ultrasound in the diagnosis and treatment of fecal incontinence.
How is fecal incontinence treated?
Depending on what’s causing your fecal incontinence, treatment could involve making dietary changes, taking medications, or performing muscle-strengthening exercises (biofeedback) or sacral nerve stimulator.
Treating the underlying cause of your fecal incontinence is essential. For example, if you have IBD (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis), you might need anti-inflammatory drugs and possibly steroids or immunosuppressants to get your condition under control.
Treatments for chronic or severe fecal incontinence include fiber supplements to bulk up your stool, medication to decrease liquid stool, pelvic floor physical therapy (biofeedback) or an implantable sacral nerve stimulation device.
Don’t allow fecal incontinence to keep you prisoner. Find the cause of your problem and an effective solution by calling Tri-City Colo-Rectal Surgery or booking an appointment online today.