INCONTINENCE :
Fecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements, causing stool (feces) to leak unexpectedly from the rectum. Also called bowel incontinence, fecal incontinence can range from occasional stool leakage while passing gas to complete loss of bowel control.
Common causes of fecal incontinence include constipation, diarrhea, and muscle or nerve damage. The condition may be associated with aging and childbirth. Fecal incontinence can cause people to stay at home and withdraw from social events because an embarrassing accident. An estimated 5.5 million Americans, more commonly older people and women, suffer from fecal incontinence.
Surgical Repair of the Anal Sphincter
In patients who have significant fecal incontinence with damage to the muscles but not to the nerves of the anal sphincter, surgery may be the best option. Surgical options include:
* A sphincteroplasty to repair the damaged or weakened anal sphincter
* Surgical repair of rectal prolapse, rectocele or hemorrhoids
* A colostomy to divert the stool into a special bag (used only as a last resort)
* ANAL BAND : The unique ARTIFICIAL ANAL SPHINCTER :
INDICATED IN:
1.Permanent Colostomy after cancer surgery
2.Permanent Colostomy after accident surgery
3.Incontinence after sphincter damage due to accident or surgery or childbirth

SAY NO TO COLOSTOMY
Can Bowel Incontinence Be Prevented?
Since fecal incontinence in women is often caused by anal muscle or nerve damage that occurred during childbirth, prevention is not always possible. However, if the use of forceps can be avoided during childbirth, the period of labour not prolonged and the baby not delivered too rapidly, injury to the pelvic muscles and nerves can be avoided.
Also, chronic constipation may result in incontinence. Getting sufficient water, fiber and exercise can be effective in treating constipation .