Fecal Incontinence Specialist

What is fecal incontinence?

Fecal incontinence means you can't control your bowels, leading to the involuntary release of stool. Fecal incontinence typically correlates with bouts of diarrhea or constipation, which means that when the condition clears up, so does your fecal incontinence.

More persistent problems with fecal incontinence, however, are possible and are usually traced back to:

• Aging, which leads to reduced muscle control in your rectum
• Nerve damage in your rectum
• Excessive gas
• Childbirth
• Rectal prolapse
• Rectocele (your rectum protrudes into your vagina)
• Loss of storage in your rectum

Since these conditions aren’t temporary, Dr. Jones works with you to find an appropriate solution.

What are the different types of incontinence?

There are two types of fecal incontinence:

• Urge incontinence: the urge to defecate occurs suddenly, and you can’t get to the bathroom in time
• Passive incontinence: you pass stool or gas without being aware of the need to do so

How is fecal incontinence treated?

Depending on what causes your fecal incontinence, Dr. Jones tailors a treatment plan that may include one or more of the following:

Medications

In the case of diarrhea and constipation, several medications can help either loosen your stool or bulk it up.

Exercises

As a muscle, your anus can benefit from strength training, which offers you more control over the release of your stool. Dr. Jones provides you with a list of effective exercises you can do at home.

Training

Behavior training goes a long way toward controlling your bowel movements. For example, the more you train your body to go the bathroom at a specific time each day, the more your body falls into the routine.

Surgery

If your sphincter is damaged or weakened, Dr. Jones may recommend a sphincteroplasty, where she tightens the muscles in your sphincter.

If your sphincter is severely damaged, she can replace it with an artificial one that operates via a cuff device.

If your fecal incontinence is brought on by a rectal prolapse, Dr. Jones can surgically correct the prolapse, alleviating your incontinence.

Whatever the issue, Dr. Jones works with you to provide long-lasting relief from fecal incontinence. To learn more, call Orlando Urogynecology or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment.