Regain control

There are many ways to manage bowel control problems. Remember, if conservative treatments don’t deliver the results you need, you have more options.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of bowel control problems, it’s time to meet with a bowel incontinence specialist. Your doctor may ask you to fill out a symptom diary to get a better idea of your daily experience and confirm your diagnosis.

SYMPTOMS OF CHRONIC FECAL INCONTINENCE (FI) INCLUDE:

• Frequent bowel accidents
• Inability to resist the urge to go
• Inability to feel when you need to go
• Planning activities around the bathroom
• Monitoring what and how much you eat
• Using pads and protective garments

Conservative treatments can help some people, but may not work very well (or at all) for others. All of these are relatively simple behavioral changes that you may already be doing.

• Dietary modification: Changes may include adjusting fiber intake or eliminating troublesome foods.
• Bowel retraining: Also called biofeedback, this aims to improve bowel sensation, coordination, and strength.
• Medication: Anti-diarrheal medication may provide some relief.

If conservative treatments don’t deliver the results you want, you have more options.

MEDTRONIC BOWEL CONTROL THERAPY DELIVERED BY THE INTERSTIM™ SYSTEMS

If you're ready to try a different approach, Medtronic bowel control therapy delivered by the InterStim™ systems can help. This therapy targets the nerves that control your bowel to help it function normally again.

• Try it during an evaluation
• Clinically proven to stop or greatly reduce bowel accidents
• Resources and support available

Implanting an InterStim™ system has risks similar to any surgical procedure, including swelling, bruising, bleeding, and infection. Talk with your doctor about ways to minimize these risks. Complications can occur with the evaluation, including movement of the wire, technical problems with the device, and some temporary pain. Your doctor or nurse will provide you with the information regarding how to operate the test device, and inform you of other precautions related to the evaluation and activity restrictions.

DEXTRANOMER AND SODIUM HYALURONATE

This gel is injected as an implant into the anal canal to thicken the tissues and improve symptoms of FI.

• Does not address bowel-brain communication
• May cause unpleasant side effects

OTHER SURGICAL OPTIONS

Several other surgical options are available, all of which bring their own unique set of risks.

• Anal sphincter repair
• Artificial sphincter
• Colostomy
• Antegrade colonic enema (ACE)