This sends the fluid to a balloon-like receptacle near the bladder, and that releases the cuff's pressure on the anal canal, allowing the patient to defecate. After several minutes, the fluid automatically flows from the receptacle back to the cuff and closes the canal. Neurological injury, often from childbirth, is the most common cause of anal incontinence. Available surgeries aren't that helpful because they repair damaged muscles, but not the nerves, says Dr. Sharon Gregorcyk, assistant professor of surgery at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, and the study's principal investigator. What To Do Some people are embarrassed to talk about fecal incontinence with a doctor, says Gregorcyk.
Some women feel it's just something they have to accept.
My advice to someone who has fecal incontinence is for them to see a colorectal surgeon. She says doctors who don't specialize in the field sometimes are unaware of available treatments and unintentionally give patients incorrect or non-current information. To learn more about incontinence, visit the American Academy of Family Physicians online. This Web site is a free resource for everyone in Minnesota. Links to certain services are available only to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota members.