ABSTRACT
Fecal incontinence is a significant health problem that affects quality of life. Continence
may often be improved with changes in diet with or without pharmacologic treatment
to optimize the consistency of stool. Biofeedback is a multifaceted therapeutic approach
that helps an individual improve his or her sensitivity to rectal distention and respond
with appropriate voluntary sphincter control. One or more of these techniques can
be used in conjunction with education and supportive counseling to optimize an individual's
continence.
KEYWORDS
Fecal incontinence - biofeedback - fiber
REFERENCES
- 1 Goodman & Gilman's .The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics. 10th ed. New York,
NY; McGraw-Hill 2001
- 2
Palmer K R, Corbett C L, Holdsworth C D.
Double-blind cross-over study comparing loperamide, codeine and diphenoxylate in the
treatment of chronic diarrhea.
Gastroenterology.
1980;
79
1272-1275
- 3
Harford W V, Krejs G J, Santa Ana C A, Fordtran J S.
Acute effect of diphenoxylate with atropine (Lomotil) in patients with chronic diarrhea
and fecal incontinence.
Gastroenterology.
1980;
78
440-443
- 4
Read M, Read N W, Barber D C, Duthie H L.
Effects of loperamide on anal sphincter function in patients complaining of chronic
diarrhea with fecal incontinence and urgency.
Dig Dis Sci.
1982;
27
807-814
- 5 Cheetham M, Brazzelli M, Norton C et al.. Drug treatment for faecal incontinence
in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews. CD002116 2003
- 6
Cheetham M J, Kamm M A, Phillips R K.
Topical phenylephrine increases anal canal resting pressure in patients with faecal
incontinence.
Gut.
2001;
48
356-359
- 7
Carapeti E A, Kamm M A, Nicholls R J, Phillips R K.
Randomized, controlled trial of topical phenylephrine for fecal incontinence in patients
after ileoanal pouch construction.
Dis Colon Rectum.
2000;
43
1059-1063
- 8
Carapeti E A, Kamm M A, Phillips R K.
Randomized controlled trial of topical phenylephrine in the treatment of faecal incontinence
[comment].
Br J Surg.
2000;
87
38-42
- 9
Muller-Lissner S A.
Adverse effects of laxatives: fact and fiction.
Pharmacology.
1993;
47(Suppl 1)
138-145
- 10
Norton C, Kamm M A.
Anal sphincter biofeedback and pelvic floor exercises for faecal incontinence in adults-a
systematic review.
Aliment Pharmacol Ther.
2001;
15
1147-1154
- 11
Goliger J C, Hughes E S.
Sensibility of the rectum and colon: its role in anal incontinence.
Lancet.
1951;
2
543-547
- 12
Gladman M A, Scott S M, Chan C L, Williams N S, Lunniss P J.
Rectal hyposensitivity: prevalence and clinical impact in patients with intractable
constipation and fecal incontinence.
Dis Colon Rectum.
2003;
46
238-246
- 13
Pager C K, Solomon M J, Rex J, Roberts R A.
Long-term outcomes of pelvic floor exercise and biofeedback treatment for patients
with fecal incontinence.
Dis Colon Rectum.
2002;
45
997-1003
- 14
Prather C M.
Physiologic variables that predict the outcome of treatment for fecal incontinence.
Gastroenterology.
2004;
126
S135-S140
Amy L HalversonM.D.
Northwestern Medical Faculty Foundation, Division of Surgical Oncology
201 E. Huron St., Galter 10-105, Chicago, IL 60611
Email: ahalverson@nmff.org