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Involuntary Emptying Of Bowels. Suggested Ceprofloxin. Can I Use The Medicine?
I have suffered involuntary emptying of the bowels with no warning for some years. I am 65, female, otherwise healthy and fitter than most contemporaries. A friend experienced a similar problem and was prescribed Ceprofloxacin with excellent, rapid results. Should I ask my doctor for that? - I have had several unpleasant and embarrassing investigations and feel my doctor has lost interest in my problem because I manage (with some difficulty) to live the very active life I want. I have asked for the possibility of an artificial sphincter implantation but was met with indifference.
Fri, 7 Dec 2012
Hello and welcome to Healthcare Magic. Thanks for your query.
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic medication which is used for treating infections, like gastro-intestinal infections, bacterial diarrhoea, urinary tract infections, etc. Sometimes gastrointestinal infections or diarrhoea can be a cause of mild, transient bowel incontinence, in which case, this medicine may work by clearing the infection, stopping the diarrhoea and thereby relieving the incontinence. So, unless this is the case, Ciprofloxacin has no direct role in treating bowel incontinence.
Regarding your incontinence, you would first need a proper evaluation to ascertain the cause. Common causes of fecal incontinence include diarrhea, constipation, and muscle or nerve damage. Further treatment should be based on the probable cause. General measures which can help include increasing the fibre-content of your food, avoiding constipation and periodic voluntary emptying of bowels.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sheeba Stephen
Ciprofloxacin is an antibiotic medication which is used for treating infections, like gastro-intestinal infections, bacterial diarrhoea, urinary tract infections, etc. Sometimes gastrointestinal infections or diarrhoea can be a cause of mild, transient bowel incontinence, in which case, this medicine may work by clearing the infection, stopping the diarrhoea and thereby relieving the incontinence. So, unless this is the case, Ciprofloxacin has no direct role in treating bowel incontinence.
Regarding your incontinence, you would first need a proper evaluation to ascertain the cause. Common causes of fecal incontinence include diarrhea, constipation, and muscle or nerve damage. Further treatment should be based on the probable cause. General measures which can help include increasing the fibre-content of your food, avoiding constipation and periodic voluntary emptying of bowels.
Best wishes,
Dr. Sheeba Stephen
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