Fecal incontinence is a condition that no one wants to talk about. Yet it affects millions of people. It means a loss of bowel control. A person cannot always hold their stool. It makes people avoid social situations, work, and exercise. It takes a toll on self-esteem, comfort, and daily life. Many people feel embarrassed to seek help. But early detection and care can make a big difference. Doctors can help stop symptoms from getting worse. They can improve confidence and quality of life. That is why understanding fecal incontinence diagnosis and treatment matters a lot.
In this blog, we’ll explain how providers diagnose fecal incontinence and the major fecal incontinence treatment options.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Fecal Incontinence and Bowel Control Problems?
When someone goes to the doctor for fecal incontinence, the provider needs to know what is causing the problem. Many conditions can lead to loss of bowel control. These include muscle weakness, nerve damage, chronic diarrhea, prior childbirth injuries, or neurologic conditions. The clinician will take time to figure out what is behind the symptoms. A proper fecal incontinence diagnosis helps guide the right treatment approach.
History & Physical Exam
The first step is a detailed medical history and physical exam. The doctor asks about symptoms, how often they occur, and what seems to trigger them. They may ask about diet, bowel habits, and any history of surgery or childbirth. The providers may do a physical checkup of the lower abdomen & rectum. These personalized diagnoses help to find the real issue with nerve function or muscle tone.
Bowel Function Tests
Doctors often order tests to measure how well the muscles and nerves of the bowel work. These diagnostic tests help to confirm the issue and show how severe the dysfunction is. Accurate diagnosis is important to develop an effective treatment plan.
Anorectal Manometry
Anorectal manometry measures the strength of the muscles that control the anus and rectum. A small, flexible tube goes into the rectum. Sensors measure pressure when you squeeze or push. This test helps to diagnose whether the muscle is working properly or not.
Electromyography (EMG)
EMG checks how well the nerves & muscles communicate. This test helps to record electrical activity in the sphincter muscles. If nerves are injured or weak, the EMG can detect this. It is especially useful for identifying nerve damage.
Balloon Capacity Test
In a balloon capacity test, a small balloon is placed in the rectum and slowly filled with air. The provider measures how much air you can feel & how much causes the urge to defecate. The test helps to assess rectal sensation & capacity.
Imaging & Endoscopy
Sometimes, imaging or direct internal views are needed.
Colonoscopy / Sigmoidoscopy
These tests let doctors look inside the colon and rectum with a camera. They help rule out inflammation, tumors, polyps, or other structural problems that could lead to incontinence.
MRI Defecography
MRI defecography is a specialized imaging test. It shows how muscles and tissues move during bowel evacuation. This can reveal pelvic floor disorders that other tests miss.
Other Tests
The providers may also suggest-
- Blood tests to check for anemia or metabolic causes.
- Stool cultures to rule out infections.
- Evaluation for chronic diseases like diabetes or irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can affect bowel control.
All of these help form a complete picture before treatment begins.
Treatment Options for Fecal Incontinence
The good news is that many treatment options exist. Most people improve with the right plan. Doctors usually begin with conservative treatments. If these do not help, more advanced options are considered.
Lifestyle & Diet Changes
Simple changes can help reduce symptoms for many people:
- Eat more fiber to bulk up stool.
- Avoid foods that make diarrhea worse (like spicy foods).
- Drink enough water to stay regular.
- Set up a regular bowel routine after meals.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol when they trigger symptoms.
Diet and habit changes are sometimes the easiest yet most effective first steps in bowel control treatment.
Physical Therapies
Physical therapies aim to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and improve awareness of bowel sensations.
Pelvic Floor Exercises (Kegels)
Pelvic floor therapy for fecal incontinence includes Kegel exercises. These focus on tightening and relaxing the muscles that control bowel movements. A physical therapist often guides patients through these exercises for the best results.
Biofeedback
Biofeedback uses sensors and visual feedback to help you learn how to engage muscles correctly. A therapist helps you practice muscle control and relax muscles when needed. Studies show that biofeedback often works better than exercise alone.
Electrical Stimulation
Electrical stimulation delivers mild currents to the pelvic floor muscles. This can help improve muscle strength and nerve function. It is often used when sedation or muscle response is weak.
Medications
Medicines can help when symptoms are driven by diarrhea or other bowel conditions. Doctors choose medications based on the specific cause of the incontinence. For example:
- Anti-diarrheal drugs to slow bowel movements.
- Fiber supplements to bulk stool.
- Other medicines to treat underlying conditions like IBS.
Surgery
If conservative care fails, surgical options are considered.
Sphincter Repair
Sphincteroplasty repairs torn or damaged anal sphincter muscles. This is often needed when there was an injury from childbirth or trauma.
Sacral Nerve Stimulation
Sacral nerve stimulation involves placing a small device near the sacral nerves in the lower back. The device sends mild electrical impulses to improve nerve control over the bowel and pelvic floor muscles. It is FDA-approved for fecal incontinence when conservative treatments have not worked.
This procedure usually starts with a temporary test. If the trial shows improvement, a permanent device is implanted. Many patients see a significant drop in leakage episodes.
Who Treats Fecal Incontinence?
Several specialists may be involved:
- Gastroenterologist: Focuses on digestive system disorders.
- Colorectal Surgeon: Handles surgical and complex care of the colon and rectum.
- Urogynecologist: Treats pelvic floor disorders in women, including fecal and urinary incontinence.
Doctors often work together to provide the best care.
Where Can I Find Advanced Bowel Incontinence Treatment Near Brookfield, WI?
If you’re near Brookfield and want expert care for bowel control problems, there are several local options. For advanced diagnosis and personalized care, consider SAAK Health.
We offer multispecialty care with a focus on pelvic health. Our Women’s Center for Incontinence and Pelvic Health helps diagnose and treat both urinary and fecal incontinence. Get non-surgical and surgical options, and patient-centered care tailored to individual needs.
Conclusion
Fecal incontinence can be a heavy burden. It affects confidence, social life, travel, and comfort. But it doesn’t have to be permanent. Early diagnosis and the right plan can improve or even resolve symptoms for many people.
Doctors use a combination of historical review, exams, imaging, and specialized bowel control tests to find the cause. Based on these results, they tailor treatment. Many patients improve with lifestyle changes and physical therapies like pelvic floor therapy for fecal incontinence. When needed, medications, nerve stimulation, or surgery may be the next step.
If you live near Brookfield, WI, clinics like SAAK Health offer comprehensive care to help you regain control. You deserve to live confidently and comfortably. Don’t wait to ask for help.
FAQs
What medical tests are commonly done for fecal incontinence?
Doctors may use anorectal manometry, EMG, colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, MRI defecography, and simple stool and blood tests. These bowel incontinence tests help measure muscle strength and rule out infections or structural problems.
When is a sacral nerve stimulator or other advanced procedure recommended?
Advanced procedures like sacral nerve stimulation are recommended when conservative care (diet, meds, biofeedback) hasn’t worked well. A trial period is often done first to see if symptoms improve before a permanent device is placed.
When does fecal incontinence require surgery instead of conservative care?
Surgery is considered after other treatments fail. It may be needed if there is muscle damage, severe pelvic floor dysfunction, or other structural issues that need repair.
Can treating underlying conditions like diabetes or IBS reduce fecal incontinence?
Yes. Treating conditions that contribute to diarrhea, nerve damage, or inflammation can help reduce incontinence symptoms. Medicines and diet changes to manage these underlying issues often improve bowel control.