Madison Reporter

Bowel incontinence, a condition marked by uncontrollable bowel movements, affects many individuals. Despite its prevalence, the stigma surrounding it often prevents people from seeking necessary medical attention. Dr. Ray King, a surgeon at UW Health, emphasizes that fecal incontinence is common and treatable through various methods.

This condition arises when an individual cannot control stool or gas due to damaged pelvic floor muscles or nerve issues connecting the pelvis and brain. The pelvic floor comprises muscles, tissues, and ligaments supporting organs like the bladder and rectum. Damage to these structures can occur during childbirth or due to aging and conditions such as diabetes or multiple sclerosis.

Symptoms of bowel incontinence vary; some may experience sudden gas passage or an urgent need for a bowel movement without reaching a restroom in time. Others might not feel the sensation of needing to defecate until after it happens. Bowel control loss can be abrupt due to trauma or gradual over time.

Dr. King advises against immediate concern for isolated incidents but suggests consulting a doctor if symptoms persistently impact quality of life: “Fecal incontinence usually does not get better on its own. In fact, if not addressed, it can progressively worsen.”

Untreated bowel incontinence can severely affect mental health and daily life, leading to anxiety, depression, social withdrawal, work limitations, and skin infections from soiled clothing.

Diagnosis involves reviewing health history and conducting exams such as digital rectal exams or anorectal manometry to assess anal sphincter function. Treatment options include dietary changes for bulkier stool formation and pelvic floor physical therapy for muscle strengthening.

Surgical interventions are also available: sphincteroplasty repairs damaged muscles; sacral nerve neuromodulation involves implanting a device stimulating relevant nerves with over 90% success; colostomy is considered when other treatments fail.

Women are more susceptible than men due to typically less robust pelvic floor muscles and childbirth-related damage. Dr. King notes: “The muscles of the male pelvic floor is typically more robust than the female pelvic floor.”

UW Health offers integrated care through its Integrated Specialty Care for Women program addressing related conditions alongside bowel incontinence.