Did you know that Irritable Bowel Syndrome affects 25 to 45 million people in the United States? Anyone who has been diagnosed with IBS can tell you that bowel incontinence is one of the more common symptoms. 60% of IBS patients report experiencing at least one episode of fecal incontinence.

What is IBS?

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic condition that affects the large intestine, causing symptoms like cramping, bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation. Although it can cause some of the same symptoms as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, it doesn’t cause changes in the bowel tissue that are the hallmarks of those two diseases. Since it’s a long-lasting condition, it can also cause feelings of anxiety and even depression.

What causes IBS?

As for what causes it, researchers aren’t clear, but studies show it may be related to the muscles or nerves that control the way the bowel contracts and the sensations bowel activities can cause. Research has also shown that IBS can be triggered by certain foods, illnesses, stress, and even hormones, and triggers can vary substantially from one person to another. It also seems clear IBS is more likely to occur in women as well as those with a family history of the condition.

IBS Treatment

Since the causes of IBS aren’t yet known, right now, treatment is focused on reducing or eliminating symptoms, including bowel incontinence. Some bouts of IBS may be avoided or lessened by avoiding triggers whenever possible, for instance, by eliminating certain foods or learning stress management techniques. Other times, medication may help.

IBS and Incontinence

There are three types of IBS, one of which is diarrhea-based. A common symptom of this type is fecal incontinence, the inability to control bowel movements.

If you have IBS or you’ve been experiencing symptoms like bowel incontinence or loose bowels, having an evaluation is critical to your good health. Make an appointment with the Incontinence Institute in Middle Tennessee today so you can start feeling more confident about your health and your life.

Most people know botulinum toxin can be used to treat certain types of wrinkles, but did you know it can also be used to treat overactive bladder? It’s true – the FDA has approved the use of botulinum toxin for the treatment of some types of overactive bladder (OAB).

How do Bladder Botulinum Toxin Injections Work?

Botulinum toxin works by blocking nerve signals sent from the bladder muscles to the brain. The overstimulated muscles responsible for overactive bladder leakage are unable to flex or contract, preventing urinary incontinence.

The bladder is lined with muscles that help it contract and expel urine. Overactive bladder occurs when these muscles become overstimulated and begin firing off messages to the brain at random times. The result: urine leakage – sometimes a little, sometimes a lot.

Botulinum toxin blocks the nerve signals between the muscles and the brain. When those muscles can’t communicate with the brain, they can’t flex or contract. On the face, for instance, Botulinum toxin works by preventing the muscles of the forehead or around the eyes from sending nerve signals to the brain. That means when you smile, for instance, the muscles that would normally cause crow’s feet to form aren’t “told” to contract, and those little, crinkly lines don’t form.

In the bladder, botulinum toxin does the same thing, only this time, it relaxes the bladder muscles – not too much, but just enough to help prevent the spasms that can cause leakage. The FDA has approved botulinum toxin for overactive bladder that occurs as a result of nerve damage, such as those with spinal injury or multiple sclerosis; but doctors can also use it for other kinds of OAB, based on a careful evaluation of the patient and the symptoms.

In fact, in one recent study of nearly 250 women with moderate to severe bladder incontinence, a single injection of botulinum toxin was just as effective as pills at controlling loss of urine at six months, and more effective at 12 months after treatment. What’s more, women who received botulinum toxin were twice as likely to report complete resolution of their symptoms compared to those who took oral medication.

To maintain the effects of botulinum toxin, most women will need to have additional injections every nine months or so.

The bottom line: There are many options for dealing with overactive bladder; why live with symptoms? Schedule a consultation today and learn how we can help.

If you’re dealing with any type of incontinence, you owe it yourself and your health to be evaluated at the Incontinence Institute. Give us a call today at 1-800-771-1953 to schedule your consultation with Dr. Barry Jarnagin or Dr. Melissa Kaufman.

February is American Heart Month, and that makes it a great time to discuss a condition that’s often associated with heart disease: nocturia. Nocturia simply means nighttime urination, and people who have nocturia wake up frequently in the night to use the bathroom. There are lots of causes for nocturia – diabetes and an enlarged prostate are two common ones.

But nocturia also can be caused by heart disease, or more specifically, heart failure. Heart failure makes it difficult for the body to rid itself of fluid. Lying down improves kidney function, making it easier for the body to get rid of the fluids that have built up during the day. When you lie down to sleep, the enhanced kidney function kicks in, urine production increases and suddenly, your bladder is full – even though you were careful not to drink a lot of fluids before bed.

In fact, nocturia can occur in the absence of other factors, like drinking before bed or enlarged prostate. This can be one of the early warning signs that a person may be experiencing the initial stages of heart failure.

The link between nocturia and heart health may be even more complex. Because nocturia results in wakefulness during the night, it impairs a person’s ability to get a good, restorative night’s sleep. Several studies have linked poor sleep with an increase in heart disease, as well as other problems like diabetes and even obesity.

Seeing a doctor is the most important step you can take if you begin experiencing nocturia. Your doctor can perform a complete exam and evaluation to help pinpoint possible causes that could lead to the diagnosis of another underlying condition like heart disease, prostate disease, diabetes or even cancer.

Remember: Bladder issues like nocturia and incontinence are not a “normal” part of the aging process; if you have any concerns about your bladder function, schedule an evaluation at the Incontinence Institute so you can feel confident about your health.

Give us a call, 1.800.771.1953 and schedule an appointment today. If you are in the Franklin, Tennessee area, Dr. Barry Jarnagin is available. Dr. Melissa Kaufman is available to see patients in the Nashville area who are suffering from conditions such as overactive bladder syndrome, irritable bladder or incontinence.

For those suffering from severe diarrhea or predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) a simple meal can be torture. Will this make me sick? Will I make it to the bathroom? Should I just stay home? Can I eat this? These questions and more fill the head of the person afflicted with IBS. A key to living with IBS is learning what foods trigger the condition.

Author and nutrition expert Joy Bauer has developed an elimination diet, which is extreme and should not be followed for longer than one week. It’s designed to help people who suffer from severe, persistent diarrhea-predominant IBS determine which foods may be aggravating their condition.

If you have occasional symptoms from IBS, the elimination diet plan is not appropriate or warranted.

This plan is very low in dietary fiber and is based on the few foods people with this type of IBS can tolerate best. Fiber (and nutrition) will be slowly increased as you introduce new foods.

Every day, choose one option for each of the three meals: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then, one or two times per day, choose from a variety of suggested snacks. Eat slowly and thoroughly chew your food. Approximate calories have been provided to help adjust for your personal weight-management goals. If you find yourself hungry (and if weight is not an issue), feel free to increase the portion sizes for meals and snacks. Stick with flat water as your beverage, and try to drink at least eight cups throughout each day.

After following this plan for one week, you can start experimenting by adding new foods. You should add one new food every two to three days (it’s best to stick with one portion of a new food per day). Keep an IBS diary and write down everything you eat — and everything you feel. Pay close attention to how you feel after eating each new food, which will help you determine if it can be permanently reintroduced into your diet. If any food bothers your stomach, stop eating it and add it to your list of problem foods. Move on to the next food category. You can always retest a problem food at a later date.

At the end of this tough assignment, you will have identified most of the foods that aggravate your IBS. Let’s hope it’s a short list. For the sake of good nutrition and food variety, here’s Bauer’s suggested order for reintroducing new foods:

1. Dairy (fat-free and reduced-fat milk, yogurt, cheese, etc.)
2. Sweet potatoes
3. Wheat products: Start with white versions of bread, crackers, and pasta. In the future, you can slowly test small amounts of whole wheat varieties.
4. Oats, oatmeal, and barley
5. Brown and wild rice
6. Cooked vegetables (non-cruciferous)
7. Fruit (peel fruits with tough outer skins at first)
8. Whole nuts and seeds
9. Garlic and onion
10. Starchy beans and lentils
11. Cooked cruciferous vegetables
12. Raw vegetables
13. Ketchup, soy sauce, and other condiments (test one at a time)
14. Dried fruit and all-fruit jams
15. Chocolate
16. Fruit juice, sugar and honey
17. Coffee or tea
18. Alcohol

What is Anal Seepage?

Fecal seepage is a bowel leak that occurs after a routine bowel movement. This leakage is unexpected and the sufferer is not able to hold it in.

Symptoms of Fecal Seepage

Fecal seepage happens after a bowel movement, and usually without warning. It involves an involuntary release of fecal matter, usually without urgency. Sufferers of fecal seepage may not realize that a leak has happened until later.

Seepage can occur for the two common types of fecal incontinence:

Urge Incontinence

Urge incontinence occurs when you have the sudden urge to go to the restroom and may not be able to make it in time, as fecal matter is discharged from the rectum even if there are attempts to hold it.

Passive Bowel Incontinence

Passive bowel incontinence happens when you are unaware that you passed stool and your brain doesn’t send a warning signal that the rectum is full.

Anal Leakage Treatment

Fecal seepage can be a symptom of an underlying condition, and it can even happen due to chronic constipation. It is important to see a physician for a proper diagnosis and to rule out serious conditions such as colorectal cancer.

Many people think they just have to live with this condition, or that there is no solution. The Incontinence Institute offers a range of treatment options to correct fecal seepage and other bowel problems.

Contact us or call one of our discreet, dedicated Medical Concierges at 800-771-1953 today for more information.

It’s the New Year, and that means it’s time to make a few resolutions for better health. Here are a half dozen you can add to help you reduce or eliminate the symptoms of bladder or bowel incontinence in 2015:

·Drink when you’re thirsty. If you’re already suffering from symptoms of incontinence, it may be tempting to try to treat the problem by drinking less fluids. But that’s a step that can actually make the condition worse. By not getting enough fluids, we can’t flush infection-causing bacteria out of the the bladder and kidneys as efficiently as we should, resulting in painful and dangerous urinary tract infections that can cause incontinence symptoms to increase.

· Practice Kegels. Just a couple of minutes a few times a day tightening and holding your pelvic muscles can do wonder in reducing or even eliminating many symptoms of incontinence. Do them while you’re watching TV, while you’re stuck in traffic or sitting at your desk at work, no one will know.

· Have regular physical exams. Seeing your doctor regularly is one of the best ways to identify potential health issues early on, including medical issues that can have an effect on bladder and colon health.

·Eat a balanced diet. Limit caffeine, spicy foods and other foods and beverages that can irritate the bladder and bowel lining. Fill your plate with lots of fiber including whole grains and leafy greens. Make it easy by committing to have one salad and one piece of fruit each day to start.

·Quit smoking. Smoking isn’t just bad for your lungs, it wreaks havoc on your entire vascular system, which means your bladder, kidneys, colon and muscles don’t get the nutrients and oxygen they need to stay healthy. Plus, smoking is associated with higher levels of bladder cancer and colon cancer.

· See an incontinence specialist for any symptoms of incontinence. Neither bladder nor bowel incontinence are a normal part of aging. If you’ve experiencing any symptoms of incontinence, schedule an appointment at the Incontinence Institute and learn about the simple and effective treatments available today.

Losing weight is the number one New Year’s resolution in the U.S., and for good reason: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than a third of adults in the U.S. are clinically obese, and another third are overweight. Thanks to increased awareness of the effects of obesity and weight gain, many Americans are very aware that those extra pounds can substantially increase their risk for many serious disease and medical conditions, including heart disease, diabetes and stroke – even some types of cancer.

During the past decade, more and more people have turned to weight-loss surgery as a way to lose weight and, hopefully, keep it off. But while weight loss surgery can help reduce the risks of many weight-related diseases and conditions, it can also have one unpleasant side effect: fecal incontinence.

Weight loss surgery often results in changes in the way food is digested and absorbed, and most patients are told to expect the possibility of diarrhea or loose bowel movements. But studies are beginning to indicate that more people than previously thought may be experiencing fecal incontinence following surgery. That’s because the watery fecal matter that can occur as a result of bariatric surgery is more likely to leak out. In addition to changes in the way food is absorbed in the bowel, the normal flora healthy bacteria that live in the colon and promote good digestion can also be significantly altered by bariatric surgery, contributing to the formation of loose, watery bowels.

So what can you do if weight-loss surgery is in your plans for 2015? Understanding the risk of fecal incontinence following bariatric surgery is important so you can weigh the pros and cons of the surgery. And if you’ve already had weight-loss surgery and you’re experiencing symptoms of incontinence, it’s also important to know you’re not alone. Many people suffer from fecal incontinence, and there are plenty of ways to help you cope. The first step is to schedule an evaluation. Call us today at (800) 771-1953 and get the help and the answers you need to live more confidently.