Fecal Incontinence Specialist

When a person is unable to control his or her bowel movements and feces leaks from the rectum, he or she is suffering from fecal incontinence. The condition ranges in severity from the occasional unintended release of feces while passing gas to a total loss of bowel control. Fecal incontinence is often accompanied by other issues including gas, bloating, constipation, and diarrhea. While this condition may be embarrassing, it’s treatable. Patients who experience fecal incontinence should make an appointment with UroGyn Specialists of Florida for assessment and treatment.

There are a variety of factors that can contribute to fecal incontinence, most prevalently age and natural childbirth. Muscle damage to the anal sphincter can make it difficult to hold in feces. Childbirth is a common cause of this kind of damage. Similarly, childbirth can also cause nerve damage to the nerves responsible for controlling the anal sphincter. Straining too hard during a bowel movement, spinal cord injuries and diseases like diabetes and multiple sclerosis can also cause this kind of nerve damage. Constipation can also lead to fecal incontinence when patients strain to pass stool and cause damage to the nerves and muscles of the rectum. Also, patients who have scarring in their rectal walls from surgery, inflammatory bowel disease, or radiation treatment may suffer from fecal incontinence because the walls will not be able to stretch enough to accommodate feces.

The doctors at UroGyn Specialists of Florida offer discreet and effective treatments for fecal incontinence. Treatment will depend on the root cause of the issue. The doctors may prescribe medications that address either diarrhea or constipation, as both conditions can lead to fecal incontinence. Patients may also be advised to change their diet, which in turn changes the consistency of stool. Patients may also be advised to practice Kegel exercises or have special physical therapy to strengthen the pelvic floor and rectum, providing improved control. In some cases, surgery may be necessary to repair the anus or rectum or to provide additional support in the pelvic floor which may help reduce the occurrence of fecal incontinence.