Services

Faecal Incontinenece

Faecal Incontinence

What is faecal incontinence?
Faecal incontinence is the loss of control of gas or liquid stool or solid stool due to pathology in the muscles and or nerves that maintain this function. People who suffer from faecal incontinence may find that they are partially or completely unable to hold gas, liquid stool or solid stool. This can occur with varying degrees of severity.

What causes faecal incontinence in adults?

  • The commonest cause of faecal incontinence in women is an injury sustained during childbirth to the muscles of the anus (sphincter)
  • Diarrhoea which results in watery stool that is more difficult to control than a solid stool. This may be due to infection or irritable bowel syndrome.
  • Constipation which causes large hard stools that are difficult to pass out and can stretch and weaken the muscles of the rectum and anus.
  • Rectal prolapse which is a condition that causes the rectum to drop out through the anus, this prevents the anus from closing completely as it should, which then causes stool or mucus to escape.
  • Neurological diseases like Parkinson's or multiple sclerosis
colorectal cancerCOLORECTAL CANCER faecal incontinenceFAECAL INCONTINENCE rectal prolapseRECTAL PROLAPSE gastrointestinal tract disordersPROCTOLOGY bowel obstructionBOWEL OBSTRUCTION abdominal herniasABDOMINAL HERNIAS appendicitisAPPENDICITIS

What options are available to treat faecal incontinence?

  • Medical treatments
    • Bulking agents are non-absorbable agents that are injected to bulk up the anal muscles.
    • Prescription medications to make the stool thicker
    • Bowel training
    • Pelvic floor muscle exercises to strengthen the muscles.
  • Surgical treatments
    • Sphincteroplasty which is a repair of the anal muscle (sphincter)
    • Repair of any rectal prolapse
    • Sacral neuromodulation – one of the latest treatments This involves implanting a small transmitter under the skin in the upper buttock area; this delivers gentle electrical stimulation to a nerve located in the lower back (sacral nerve) which can positively influence the anal sphincter and pelvic floor muscles to help improve faecal incontinence. It is also beneficial for urinary incontinence.
Faecal Incontinence

Request a consultation
logo icon

"Touching lives through skill and understanding."