When you struggle with bowel control, it can affect your quality of life and keep you from doing the things you love. As the only specialty-trained and board-certified colorectal surgeon in Novato, California, Mark Bazalgette, M.D., provides specialized care for bowel issues, including incontinence and rectal bleeding. To learn more about incontinence treatments, call Dr. Bazalgette or schedule an appointment online today.
Fecal or bowel incontinence describes having stools (feces) leave your rectum unexpectedly. The severity of this condition can vary from leaking stools periodically while passing gas to a complete loss of bowel control.
In addition to the loss of bowel control, you might experience additional symptoms including:
In some cases, you can have fecal incontinence issues because you don’t realize you need to have a bowel movement.
You can develop problems controlling your bowels for several reasons, including:
You can also develop fecal incontinence because of nerve damage during surgery and prolapse issues where your rectum drops into your anus or through your vagina.
Dr. Bazalgette diagnoses the cause of fecal incontinence by discussing your symptoms and performing a physical exam. He might also check your anus for signs of nerve damage.
Other tests for fecal incontinence might include:
Dr. Bazalgette might also recommend a colonoscopy to check the health of your entire colon or an MRI to check your sphincter muscles.
After diagnosing the cause of your fecal incontinence, Dr. Bazalgette develops a treatment plan to address your specific condition. This might include medications or dietary changes to help address the consistency of your stools. If you have fecal incontinence because of muscle issues, Dr. Bazalgette might suggest an exercise program or specific therapies focused on rebuilding muscle strength.
In some cases, Dr. Bazalgette might recommend surgery to repair the damage that’s triggering your fecal incontinence.
To find solutions for fecal incontinence, call Dr. Bazalgette or schedule an appointment online today.