$Unique_ID{BRK02333}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{What Can I Do To Keep From Losing My Bowel Movement?}
$Subject{digestive system colon bowels loose losing bowel movement movements
rectum anus fecal incontinence community social biofeedback anal muscle
diarrhea}
$Volume{I-12,I-13,Q-12,Q-13}
$Log{}

Copyright (c) 1992,1993   Tribune Media Services, Inc.


What Can I Do To Keep From Losing My Bowel Movement?


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QUESTION:  How can I help myself from embarrassment of losing my B.M.?  It has
already happened on a number of occasions, and the fear that it will happen
again has kept me a prisoner in my own house.  Please help me escape.

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ANSWER:   This condition, known as fecal incontinence, can indeed be quite
embarrassing, especially in social situations.  However, there is a lot that
can be done to treat this problem, and sometimes, to even correct it.  First,
it is extremely important that you report your condition to your physician,
who can obtain a thorough medical history from you, and perform an examination
of your rectum.  He may also evaluate other aspects of the problem, including
neurological testing, in order to make a careful diagnosis and develop an
appropriate treatment plan.
     A simple and effective nonsurgical technique, known as "biofeedback",
may be one way to help you overcome this problem.  Through the biofeedback
program, patients are taught to control their anal muscle contractions, and to
then synchronize these contractions with the muscles that control their bowel
movements.  These muscle responses are monitored through a device composed of
three air-filled balloons, inserted into the rectum, which is attached to a
recording apparatus that visually displays the muscular responses.  Patients
can monitor their muscle responses by watching the recording apparatus.  This
program continues until patients learn to effectively control their
incontinence.  Success has been achieved in more than 70 percent of patients
who have used biofeedback.
     If biofeedback is ineffective, there are certain drugs which have also
proved effective in treating fecal incontinence, especially to control
diarrhea.  Drug therapy can be extremely effective and can break the chains
that are now confining you to your own home.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
problem.