Do the following sound familiar?

  • Frequent bowel accidents
  • Monitoring what and how much you eat
  • Using pads or protective garments
  • Planning activities around the bathroom

These are symptoms of fecal incontinence. Unfortunately, many people experience problems with bowel and bladder continence — about 1 in 12 adults in the US has fecal incontinence, and 21 million adults in the US are affected by fecal incontinence. These symptoms can cause problems emotionally, physically, and even socially. Fecal Incontinence (FI) is a treatable condition. It’s not a normal part of aging. And you shouldn’t have to deal with it on your own.

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Although discussing the problem can be embarrassing, there are a variety of treatment options that the providers at Gastrointestinal Associates can offer you. These options can range from simple solutions such as fiber supplementation and optimization of your medications to more nuanced and individualized approaches including sacral neuromodulation with the InterStim™ Systems.

InterStim therapy, also known as sacral neuromodulation (SNM), is a medical treatment used for individuals who experience bowel control problems and fecal incontinence. It involves the use of a device called an InterStim system to regulate the signals sent between the brain, spinal cord, and the nerves that control the bladder and bowel function.

InterStim therapy is usually done in two stages. The first stage involves a trial period where a temporary lead is placed near the sacral nerves and connected to an external neurostimulator. This allows the individual to assess the effectiveness of the therapy before committing to a permanent implant. If the trial period is successful and the individual experiences significant improvement in their symptoms, they can proceed to the second stage, which involves the surgical implantation of the permanent InterStim system.

Please let your Gastrointestinal Associates provider know if you have ever had any problems with bowel continence, such as leakage of stool, stool related accidents, or even severe urgency that limits your social interactions and life.