Fecal Incontinence Is More Common Than You Think, But You Can Find the Treatment You Need at AdventHealth Digestive Institute
Fecal incontinence is the loss of bowel control. There are various degrees of fecal incontinence. According to the National Institutes of Health, up to 1 in 12 U.S. adults has this condition, including both younger and older people. While very common, fecal incontinence often has social implications. Sometimes people are too embarrassed to seek treatment. If you suffer from this condition, the doctors at the Digestive Health Institute can help you find the solution – which may not even require surgery – you need.
Our gastroenterologists and colon and rectal surgeons help patients find permanent treatments for fecal incontinence. There are many effective treatments that are nonsurgical. At AdventHealth Digestive Institute, these are tried before surgery is considered. If a patient is still not satisfied with his or her bowel control after trying treatments such as medicine, physical therapy, and lifestyle changes, a colorectal surgeon can help.
Causes of Fecal Incontinence
Anything that weakens the tissues that support the internal organs can cause fecal incontinence.
Some causes of fecal incontinence include:
Childbirth, especially with a prolonged, vaginal delivery
Injury or disease to the pelvic floor, anus or spinal cord
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Chronic diarrhea
Diabetes
Having had previous anal surgery
Diagnosing Fecal Incontinence
Certain tests can help doctors know what is causing bowel incontinence. Finding its underlying cause can help them arrive at an optimal treatment plan.
Exams and tests used to diagnose fecal incontinence and determine its cause include:
Anoscopy
Anorectal manometry
Rectal exam
Endoscopic ultrasound
Nerve testing
Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy
MRI defecography
Stool test
Fecal Incontinence Treatments
Thankfully, fecal incontinence is a condition that may be treated with multiple methods.
Nonsurgical ways to treat fecal incontinence include:
Pelvic floor exercises
Medications
Bowel training
Diet changes
If these methods are tried and the patient still does not have satisfactory bowel control, then surgery may be in order. There are several surgical options provided at AdventHealth Digestive Institute that fit patients’ needs depending on their preferences and fecal incontinence cause.
Surgical treatments for fecal incontinence include:
Sphincteroplasty is a procedure that repairs a weakened sphincter muscle in the anal canal. The sphincter is what closes off the anus and gives people the ability to control when they will have a bowel movement.
Surgical injections of bulking agents, including collagen or silicone, into the anus can help many patients find relief. This is especially the case when combined with diet and lifestyle changes.
Surgery to treat prolapse or other rectal issues can relieve fecal incontinence caused by these underlying conditions.
Sacral nerve stimulation involves the implantation of InterStim, a device that sends electrical signals to the nerves that control the anal and rectal muscles. By doing so, the muscles are strengthened, which allows them to better hold in gas and fecal matter.
Bowel diversion procedures such as colostomy are a way to manage a patient’s condition after all other options have been exhausted. Modern ostomy appliances are odor-free and more discrete than ever before. This makes bowel diversion a good option for some patients.
Colon, Rectal and Anal Disorders
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Colon and Rectal Cancer
Our experienced gastroenterologists can diagnose and treat colon and rectal cancer. Learn more about treatment and surgery options.
Surgeons at AdventHealth Digestive Institute offer advanced treatments for hemorrhoids, anal fissures, anal abscesses, anal fistulas and pilonidal disease.
Colorectal surgeons and gastroenterologists at AdventHealth Digestive Institute offer advanced treatments for colon polyps, including sessile polyp and adenomatous polyp.
Our skilled colon and rectal surgeons provide the latest treatments for colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and other conditions that affect the colon and rectum.
Colonoscopy / Flexible Sigmoidoscopy
A colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy is a way for doctors to see inside the colon and rectum to identify issues and perform biopsies.
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Appointments Within Five Days for Patients with Cancer
At AdventHealth Digestive Institute, we know that after being diagnosed with cancer, patients want and often need to begin treatment quickly. So we make it a priority to offer appointments for cancer surgery consultations within five business days, and often earlier.
Patients who are newly diagnosed with cancer, or have just found out they have cancer again, qualify for this priority access. Our surgeons will make themselves available to see you right away, even for a second opinion. We want to help you start your treatment as soon as possible.
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