HWN Suggests

Is Bowel Leakage the New Erectile Dysfunction?

Millions of men in America suffer from erectile dysfunction (ED), but until a decade or so ago, talking about ED was about as taboo as religion and politics at the dinner table. Then, along came those commercials we’ve all come to know so well.

But ED isn’t the only taboo topic that plagues millions of Americans each year. So, in an effort to help 20 million women in America, let’s talk about the issue that plagues them. Often referred to as fecal incontinence, accidental bowel leakage (ABL) can happen without warning, and is often caused by pregnancy, childbirth or other conditions that cause damage to nerves and muscles in the pelvic region, or even simply aging. Though the condition…

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Featured

 Why we need to talk about incontinence

Incontinence is a symptom which can have many underlying causes. It can result from a weakened pelvic floor (often resulting from childbirth), obstetric fistula, cancer, bladder or bowel dysfunction, emotional distress and many other conditions. And it can be traumatising regardless of where you call home. Many cultures consider incontinence to be a taboo topic, not to be spoken about in polite conversation:

Articles of Interest

Dr. Harb talks about fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence (or bowel leakage) is a very common problem for women. And now we have treatments available for it that are changing lives. Many previously suffered with this problem in silence, but that doesn’t need to happen any longer. One treatment that has been a true life-changer for many people is called sacral nerve stimulation (SNS or Interstim).

Fecal incontinence - Challenges and solutions

Fecal incontinence is not a diagnosis but a frequent and debilitating common final pathway symptom resulting from numerous different causes. Incontinence not only impacts the patient’s self-esteem and quality of life but may result in significant secondary morbidity, disability, and cost.

Fecal Incontinence: Etiology, Evaluation, and Treatment

There are several nonsurgical and surgical options for the treatment of fecal incontinence. Biofeedback is among the most successful nonoperative strategies. Depending on the cause, anal sphincter repair, artificial bowel sphincter, and sacral nerve stimulation are used to treat fecal incontinence with some success.

Going Commando – Is it possible for Women with Neurogenic Bladder & Bowel?

We write this blog for people with neurogenic bladder and bowel and realize that some of us need additional protection during our daily routines. This product is solely for women who are able to go through their days and nights wearing single-layer underwear and do not require multiple layers of protection, for times when more than a few drops of fluid occur.

Impact of Fecal Incontinence and Its Treatment on Quality of Life in Women

Fecal incontinence (FI) is a physically and psychosocially debilitating disorder which negatively impacts quality of life (QOL). It bears a significant burden not only on patients but also on their families, caretakers, as well as society as a whole.

Investigating and treating fecal incontinence: When and how

Fecal incontinence is a common and distressing symptom in the general population and will likely increase in prevalence with time. It can arise due to a large variety of causes and is often multifactorial. No single test alone can be used reliably to diagnose the etiology of fecal incontinence in a particular patient.

Management of Fecal Incontinence

Unless specifically questioned, most people with FI will not mention the condition to a healthcare provider.

The Basics of Fecal Incontinence: You Are Not Alone

The most common fecal incontinence surgery is a sphincteroplasty. This procedure is generally recommended if you have a defect in the muscles that restrain a bowel movement. During this operation, the surgeon reconnects the separated ends of a sphincter muscle torn by childbirth or another injury. Another surgical option includes injecting non-absorbable bulking agents into your anus wall. This bulks up the anal tissues, and makes the anal opening narrower. Allowing your sphincter muscles to close more effectively.

The Urinary and Bowel Incontinence Blog

Read the latest articles from the Incontinence Institute about urinary & bowel incontinence here so you're up to date on the latest research and news.

What You Need to Know about Neurogenic Bladder and Bowel

Neurogenic bladder and bowel are highly common conditions that can result in people of all ages who have sustained traumatic spinal cord injuries (SCIs) or other neurological damage. These conditions are issues that many spinal cord injury survivors experience but are too embarrassed to talk about with family members or their doctors.

Resources

National Association for Continence

At its most basic, fecal incontinence (FI) or accidental bowel leakage (ABL) is a condition where you’re not able to hold a bowel movement until reaching a bathroom. However, there’s actually a broader range of signs and symptoms that characterize the disorder...

NIDDK

The most common type of fecal incontinence is called urge incontinence. When you have urge incontinence, you feel a strong urge to have a bowel movement but cannot stop it before reaching a toilet. If you have urge incontinence, your pelvic floor muscles may be too weak to hold back a bowel movement due to muscle injury or nerve damage.

StatPearls

Fecal incontinence is a highly prevalent problem resulting in an inability to control the discharge of bowel contents. Its severity can range from the involuntary passage of flatus to the involuntary evacuation of fecal matter. There are many etiologies that result in fecal incontinence, and many of them are treatable.