title: Review article: Recent trends in diagnosis and treatment of faecal incontinence.
abstract: The inability to control bowel discharge is not only common but extremely distressing. It has a negative impact on a patient's lifestyle, leads to a loss of self-esteem, social isolation and a diminished quality of life. Faecal incontinence is often due to multiple pathogenic mechanisms and rarely due to a single factor. Normal continence to stool is maintained by the structural and functional integrity of the anorectal unit. Consequently, disruption of the normal anatomy or physiology of the anorectal unit leads to faecal incontinence. Currently, several diagnostic tests are available that can provide an insight regarding the pathophysiology of faecal incontinence and thereby guide management. The treatment of faecal incontinence includes medical, surgical or behavioural approaches. Today, by using logical approach to management, it is possible to improve symptoms and bowel function in many of these patients.
authors.affiliation: VA Salt Lake Health Care System and the University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA.
authors.forename: A K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Tuteja
authors.forename: S S C
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Rao
mesh_terms: D001676:Biofeedback, Psychology; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000379:methods; D019160:Endosonography / Q000379:methods; D005242:Fecal Incontinence / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy; D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008365:Manometry / Q000379:methods; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011930:Reaction Time; D012007:Rectum / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D005765:Gastrointestinal Agents