Question 1

is bowel incontinence common?

Accepted Answer

Not rare: Still a topic that people are afraid to talk even to docs about, so real #s are underestimated. Bowel control is complex and can be affected by consipation, diarrhea, any nerve damage to the lower rectum, pelvic muscle tone, diabetes, neuropathy, spinal stenosis, overall activity level, weight and diet can all play a role.

Question 2

what are the causes of bowel incontinence?

Accepted Answer

Nerve or muscle prob: Liquid or solid? Can you tell it's happening or not? Sometimes caused by effects of pregnancy and/or birth trauma on nerves or muscles.  Sometimes caused by nerve damage due to disc disease, injury, tumor, dementia, multiple sclerosis; sometimes caused by brain issues, seizure, stroke, increased pressure, or normal pressure bulging/hydrocephalus- usually causes urinary incontinence).  See md.

Question 3

how is bowel incontinence typically treated?

Accepted Answer

Dpends on Cause: Damage the the rectal sphincter in childbirth is a common cause of bowel incontinence.  Trauma, diabetes, irritable bowel disease, and inflammatory bowel disease may also be contributing factors.  If it's from childbirth, see your OB as a repair of the muscle can be successful if too much time has not passed.  If not pregnancy related, see an internal medicine doctor or GI specialist.

Question 4

what should i do if i have bowel incontinence?

Accepted Answer

Bowel program: Depends if stools are normal or not. 1) avoid constipation 2) pelvic floor physical therapy, 
if pelvic muscles don't respond well to pt, then completely emptying the rectum in the am imay be best approach. This involves an enema or suppository each am. 
If a sphincter tear is present and vaginal birth was recent, then surgical repair can be helpful. 
Make sure colonoscopy is up to date.

Question 5

what is the definition or description of: bowel incontinence?

Accepted Answer

See below: Bowel incontinence is the loss of bowel control, leading to an involuntary passage of stool. This can range from occasionally leaking a small amount of stool and passing gas, to completely losing control of bowel movements.  Causes are numerous but include neurological, psychiatric, gynecologic, dietary and traumatic causes.  Referral to a colorectal surgeon can determine the cause.

Question 6

i am embarrassed about my bowel incontinence. what can i do about it?

Accepted Answer

See a colon surgeon: There are a lot of options these days for bowel incontinence. We have both surgical and non surgical options.
Please see a colon and rectal surgeon to discuss your options. These include physical therapy, sacral nerve stimulator, solesta injection, secca procedure, and overlapping sphincteroplasty.
You don't have to live with it the way it is.

Question 7

with bowel incontinence, should you be more worried when you can't feel when it happens? what does this mean as opposed to if you can? not full bm occu

Accepted Answer

Maybe: It really depends on whats going on, but the less sensation the mor need to treat soon and try to trstore function to avoid an unfixable problem.

Question 8

can you prevent bowel incontinence?

Accepted Answer

Perhaps: The causes of fecal incontinence are many and if you suffer from this chronically you should see your doctor for further discussion and evaluation to determine which treatment is appropriate.

Question 9

what surgical operations are done to treat bowel incontinence?

Accepted Answer

Depends on cause: For example, incontinence caused by inflammatory bowel disease is often treated medically, with surgery (removal of part or all of the colon) as a last resort.  Celiac disease, caused by a gluten allergy, can often be treated by changing diet.  Incontinence caused by an anatomic problem such as a disrupted anal sphincter can be treated with physical therapy or surgery.

Question 10

which physician treats bowel incontinence?

Accepted Answer

Several: Incontinence may be treated by your primary doctor, a gastroenterologist, colorectal surgeon or some combination. This would depend on the severity of the problem and the resources in your area.

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Doctor answers about:

Severe bowel incontinence

A member asked:

Is bowel incontinence common?

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What are the causes of bowel incontinence?

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How is bowel incontinence typically treated?

A member asked:

What should i do if i have bowel incontinence?

A member asked:

What is the definition or description of: bowel incontinence?

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I am embarrassed about my bowel incontinence. what can i do about it?

A member asked:

With bowel incontinence, should you be more worried when you can't feel when it happens? what does this mean as opposed to if you can? not full bm occu

A member asked:

Can you prevent bowel incontinence?

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What surgical operations are done to treat bowel incontinence?

A member asked:

Which physician treats bowel incontinence?

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