Why do I have fecal incontinence?
Being unable to control your bowels or experiencing occasional rectal leakage can be embarrassing and uncomfortable. Whether your accidents are occasional or frequent, it’s important to have an examination and find out what’s causing your bowel issues. Fecal incontinence may be associated with:
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Older age (over age 65)
- Previous anal surgery
- Anal sphincter damage from surgery or childbirth
- Radiation treatments to the pelvis
- Rectal prolapse
- Nerve damage
- Hemorrhoids
In women, fecal incontinence is sometimes linked to a rectocele, a condition that causes your rectum to protrude through your vagina. A rectocele is a common condition that occurs later in life as a result of pregnancy and childbirth.
When should I see a doctor for fecal incontinence?
Fecal incontinence isn’t something you have to learn to live with. At ColoProctology Associates & nasaHernia, you can undergo complete diagnostic testing with Dr. Aquino, so you can find out why you have fecal incontinence issues. Dr. Aquino encourages you to have an examination if you experience:
- Frequent loss of bowels with no warning or awareness that it has happened
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea with soiling of your underwear
- Difficulty making it to the bathroom in time
Don’t shy away from talking with Dr. Aquino about all of your symptoms. He’s here to help and has advanced training in modern fecal incontinence treatments so that you can restore your quality of life.
How does a doctor treat fecal incontinence?
Dr. Aquino is diligent about finding the right fecal incontinence treatment for your diagnosis. He may recommend:
- Biofeedback
- Bowel retraining
- Dietary changes
- Kegel exercises
- Bulking agent injections
- Antidiarrheal medications
- Sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) using the highly effective InterStim implant
- Posterior tibial nerve stimulation (PTNS/TENS)
If these conservative fecal incontinence treatments aren’t effective for you, Dr. Aquino could recommend surgery. He specializes in repairing a damaged anal sphincter (sphincterplasty), surgically correcting rectal prolapse/rectocele, and performing bowel diversions (colostomy) to correct and treat fecal incontinence.
Rest assured, no matter which treatment is right for your needs, at ColoProctology Associates & nasaHernia, you can expect an accurate and precise workup followed by appropriated treatment to give you relief from fecal incontinence issues with the help of. Dr. Aquino counsels you about every possible treatment option to help you stay involved in the decision-making process.
Some of Dr. Aquino’s most grateful patients are those he has cured of bowel incontinence.
ColoProctology Associates & nasaHernia provides comprehensive care for fecal incontinence regardless of whether your symptoms are minor or severe. Use the online booking tool or call the office to book your evaluation today.
