Getting Help for fecal incontinence
Surgical Options for Fecal Incontinence
New surgical techniques are helping many people who have long term problems. Whether it is appropriate for someone with Alzheimer's disease or other types of dementia has to be medically assessed and involve caregivers too. Surgical procedures include:
The artificial bowel sphincter, where a circular cuff is implanted around the anal canal and inflated to maintain sphincter closure. Sacral nerve stimulation using an electrode implanted into the sacral foramen and connected to a battery to provide continuous low level stimulation. This results in altering rectal and sphincter motor function.
In some rare cases people benefit from having a colostomy. It can provide easier management of fecal incontinence and an improved lifestyle.
Getting help.
You are not alone. Millions of people have fecal incontinence or provide care to someone with this debilitating condition. It can be a symptom of a serious disease that can be cured. If the fecal incontinence is due to Alzheimer's or another form of dementia it can be significantly improved.
Try the treatment approaches in this article. If they do not give you the answers you are seeking you should seek help from health professionals. Your family doctor will be able to assist you by treating the condition him/herself or by referring the person affected to a specialist in your area. That specialist may be a medical doctor, a doctor specializing in Alzheimer's, a nurse specializing in incontinence or other health worker.
