Fecal incontinence refers to stool leakage from the rectum without any warning. Fecal incontinence can range from occasional stool leakage while passing gas to complete loss of bowel control.
Fecal incontinence can be treated using non-surgical and surgical treatment methods. Treatment will help in improving the quality of life of a person.
Causes:
The different causes of fecal incontinence include:
The symptoms of fecal incontinence include:
Risk factors:
The following factors could increase the risk of developing fecal incontinence:
The treatment for fecal incontinence will vary depending on the cause and severity of the condition. The different treatment options include:
1. Non-surgical treatment: These are non-invasive treatment methods and may be performed in the following ways:
a) Medications: The different medicines that can be used for the treatment of fecal incontinence include:
b) Exercises and other treatment methods:
2. Surgical treatment: Surgery is recommended when the non-invasive treatments fail to work. The different types of surgeries include:
a) Sphincter surgery:
This procedure may involve stitching the anal muscles more tightly together, known as sphincteroplasty.
Alternatively, the surgeon may choose to take muscle from the buttock or pelvis to support the weak anal muscles. This procedure is known as muscle transposition.
This procedure is generally performed in patients having bowel incontinence due to the tearing of the anal sphincter muscles.
b) Sacral nerve stimulator:
This procedure involves implanting a device to stimulate the pelvic nerves.
This procedure is generally performed in patients having fecal incontinence due to nerve damage.
c) Sphincter cuff device:
The surgeon may implant a cuff filled with air and surrounding the anal sphincter.
The patient has to deflate the cuff during bowel movements and reinflate it to prevent bowel incontinence.
d) Colostomy:
This type of surgery is performed to redirect the colon through an opening created in the belly skin.
This procedure is recommended in recurrent cases of fecal incontinence when all other treatment methods have failed to work.
When left untreated, fecal incontinence may lead to the following complications:
The following home remedies can help you in gaining better control of your bowel movements:
Avoid food items that could cause gas or diarrhea
Avoid spicy food, fatty food, and dairy products
Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol
Eat a high-fiber diet
Drink plenty of liquids throughout the day
Gently wash your anal area with water after every bowel movement
Gently pat dry your anal area after washing it following a bowel movement
Non-medicated talcum powder and moisture-barrier creams may help in relieving anal discomfort
Wear loose, cotton underwear
Fecal incontinence can be improved or prevented in the following ways:
The cost of non-surgical methods to treat fecal incontinence is between INR 500 to INR 10,000.
The cost of surgical methods to treat fecal incontinence in Mumbai is between INR 60,000 to INR 2,25,000.
The cost of surgical methods to treat fecal incontinence in Delhi is between INR 50,000 to INR 2,00,000.
The cost of surgical methods to treat fecal incontinence in Bangalore is between INR 50,000 to INR 2,00,000.
The cost of surgical methods to treat fecal incontinence in Chennai is between INR 40,000 to INR 1,80,000.
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MBBS (1981), MD (1987), DM(Gastroenterology, 1987), MNAMS (1995), FACG, FASGE(USA) - Gastroenterologist
Fecal incontinence refers to stool leakage from the rectum without any warning. Fecal incontinence can range from occasional stool leakage while passing gas to complete loss of bowel control.
Fecal incontinence can be treated using non-surgical and surgical treatment methods. Treatment will help in improving the quality of life of a person.
Causes:
The different causes of fecal incontinence include:
The symptoms of fecal incontinence include:
Risk factors:
The following factors could increase the risk of developing fecal incontinence:
The treatment for fecal incontinence will vary depending on the cause and severity of the condition. The different treatment options include:
1. Non-surgical treatment: These are non-invasive treatment methods and may be performed in the following ways:
a) Medications: The different medicines that can be used for the treatment of fecal incontinence include:
b) Exercises and other treatment methods:
2. Surgical treatment: Surgery is recommended when the non-invasive treatments fail to work. The different types of surgeries include:
a) Sphincter surgery:
This procedure may involve stitching the anal muscles more tightly together, known as sphincteroplasty.
Alternatively, the surgeon may choose to take muscle from the buttock or pelvis to support the weak anal muscles. This procedure is known as muscle transposition.
This procedure is generally performed in patients having bowel incontinence due to the tearing of the anal sphincter muscles.
b) Sacral nerve stimulator:
This procedure involves implanting a device to stimulate the pelvic nerves.
This procedure is generally performed in patients having fecal incontinence due to nerve damage.
c) Sphincter cuff device:
The surgeon may implant a cuff filled with air and surrounding the anal sphincter.
The patient has to deflate the cuff during bowel movements and reinflate it to prevent bowel incontinence.
d) Colostomy:
This type of surgery is performed to redirect the colon through an opening created in the belly skin.
This procedure is recommended in recurrent cases of fecal incontinence when all other treatment methods have failed to work.
When left untreated, fecal incontinence may lead to the following complications:
The following home remedies can help you in gaining better control of your bowel movements:
Avoid food items that could cause gas or diarrhea
Avoid spicy food, fatty food, and dairy products
Avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol
Eat a high-fiber diet
Drink plenty of liquids throughout the day
Gently wash your anal area with water after every bowel movement
Gently pat dry your anal area after washing it following a bowel movement
Non-medicated talcum powder and moisture-barrier creams may help in relieving anal discomfort
Wear loose, cotton underwear
Fecal incontinence can be improved or prevented in the following ways:
The cost of non-surgical methods to treat fecal incontinence is between INR 500 to INR 10,000.
The cost of surgical methods to treat fecal incontinence in Mumbai is between INR 60,000 to INR 2,25,000.
The cost of surgical methods to treat fecal incontinence in Delhi is between INR 50,000 to INR 2,00,000.
The cost of surgical methods to treat fecal incontinence in Bangalore is between INR 50,000 to INR 2,00,000.
The cost of surgical methods to treat fecal incontinence in Chennai is between INR 40,000 to INR 1,80,000.
A. The inability to control bowel movements is known as fecal incontinence or bowel incontinence. This condition may vary in intensity and may range from occasional leakage to complete loosening of the bowels.
A. Yes, fecal incontinence is a common occurrence. It occurs in at least 6% of the general population. About 6% of women who are less than 40 years of age, and about 15% of women in the older age group suffer from fecal incontinence. Approximately 6% to 10% of men suffer from fecal incontinence, with a minor increase in age.
A. Fecal incontinence can be treated by a colorectal surgeon or gastroenterologist.
A. Mild or infrequent fecal incontinence can usually be managed by the person themselves using non-invasive approaches like the use of medications and exercises. However, severe or frequent fecal incontinence will require a visit to the doctor and may affect the quality of your life leading to social or emotional distress.
A. Some common symptoms associated with bowel incontinence are leakage of stools, gas, or mucus; urgent or strong need to have bowel movements; and streaks or strains of stools on your underwear.
A. Certain food items may increase your risk of developing fecal incontinence and may include alcohol, caffeinated beverages, chocolate, dairy products, sugar-free chewing gum, processed foods, onion, garlic, apple, pear, greasy food, and spicy food.
A. The common causes of fecal incontinence are constipation, diarrhea, and nerve or muscle damage. Nerve or muscle damage may occur due to aging or childbirth.
A. Yes, mild cases of fecal incontinence can be treated by eating a high-fiber diet, limiting caffeine consumption, drinking plenty of fluids, having a bowel regimen, performing Kegel exercises, and avoiding fatty and gas-producing food items.
A. Surgery may be needed to treat fecal incontinence only when non-surgical treatment methods, like the use of medications, performing Kegel exercises, having scheduled bowel movements every day, biofeedback, radiofrequency and anal sphincter remodeling, and injectable biomaterials have failed to work and treat fecal incontinence.
A. The different types of surgeries that may be done for fecal incontinence treatment include:
Sphincter surgery:
This procedure may involve stitching the anal muscles more tightly together, known as sphincteroplasty.
Alternatively, the surgeon may choose to take muscle from the buttock or pelvis to support the weak anal muscles. This procedure is known as muscle transposition.
This procedure is generally performed in patients having bowel incontinence due to the tearing of the anal sphincter muscles.
Sacral nerve stimulator:
This procedure involves implanting a device to stimulate the pelvic nerves.
This procedure is generally performed in patients having fecal incontinence due to nerve damage.
Sphincter cuff device:
The surgeon may implant a cuff filled with air and surrounding the anal sphincter.
The patient has to deflate the cuff during bowel movements and reinflate it to prevent bowel incontinence.
Colostomy:
This type of surgery is performed to redirect the colon through an opening created in the belly skin.
This procedure is recommended in recurrent cases of fecal incontinence when all other treatment methods have failed to work.
A. If fecal incontinence is left untreated, it may lead to the following:
A. Yes, nerve-related or neurological causes may lead to fecal incontinence. Neurological disorders that may cause fecal incontinence include spinal cord injury, diabetes, multiple sclerosis, and nerve damage during vaginal childbirth.
A. Yes, emotional stress can be one of the reasons for developing fecal incontinence.
A. People above 60 years of age and women are more likely to develop fecal incontinence. It is also more likely to develop in people having a physical disability or a mental disorder, such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.
A. The cost of fecal incontinence will vary depending on the severity of the condition present, the type of treatment being performed, the overall health of the patient, and the experience and expertise of the doctor treating the condition.
On average, the cost of non-surgical methods to treat fecal incontinence in India is between INR 500 to INR 10,000.
The cost of surgical methods to treat fecal incontinence in India is between INR 40,000 to INR 2,25,000.