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Suggest Treatment For Fecal Incontinence
Question: I have recently had a colonoscopy and all is well, however, I often have anal leakage. I have trouble sleeping so sometimes take Xanax 2.5 or Tamazipam and wonder if these are the reason. The only other things I take regularly are multivitamins which I have taken for many years and have had no problems. Thank you.
Brief Answer:
Fecal incontinence most likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query,
The problem you are having is medically termed as Fecal incontinence. Fecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements, causing stool or stool like fluid to leak unexpectedly from the rectum. Most likely cause of fecal incontinence at the age of 70 is nerve damage or muscle degeneration.
Injury or damage to the nerves that sense stool in the rectum or those that control the anal sphincter can lead to fecal incontinence. Treatment aims at treating the cause of the problem.
I would advice you some basic tests to rule out the cause of incontinence-
Digital rectal exam by the doctor, to evaluate the strength of your anal sphincter muscles and to check for any abnormalities in the rectal area.
Magnetic resonance imaging- To rule out any nerve or muscle damage.
Balloon expulsion test- A water filled balloon is inserted into the rectum. You will be asked to expel the balloon. The time it takes to expel the balloon will be recorded, time of one minute or longer is a sign of a defecation disorder.
As per your query, sleeping pills have nothing to do with this problem.
Please visit a general surgeon or pref. a gastroenterologist and get yourself investigated.
I am glad I was able to answer to your questions and am available in case you have any other health issues to ask.
If you do not have further questions related to this medical issue, I would appreciate if you please rate the answer.
Kind regards and take care
Fecal incontinence most likely.
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for choosing HealthcareMagic for your query,
The problem you are having is medically termed as Fecal incontinence. Fecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements, causing stool or stool like fluid to leak unexpectedly from the rectum. Most likely cause of fecal incontinence at the age of 70 is nerve damage or muscle degeneration.
Injury or damage to the nerves that sense stool in the rectum or those that control the anal sphincter can lead to fecal incontinence. Treatment aims at treating the cause of the problem.
I would advice you some basic tests to rule out the cause of incontinence-
Digital rectal exam by the doctor, to evaluate the strength of your anal sphincter muscles and to check for any abnormalities in the rectal area.
Magnetic resonance imaging- To rule out any nerve or muscle damage.
Balloon expulsion test- A water filled balloon is inserted into the rectum. You will be asked to expel the balloon. The time it takes to expel the balloon will be recorded, time of one minute or longer is a sign of a defecation disorder.
As per your query, sleeping pills have nothing to do with this problem.
Please visit a general surgeon or pref. a gastroenterologist and get yourself investigated.
I am glad I was able to answer to your questions and am available in case you have any other health issues to ask.
If you do not have further questions related to this medical issue, I would appreciate if you please rate the answer.
Kind regards and take care
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Arnab Banerjee
Answered by
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