title: [Treatment of anal incontinence].
abstract: Diagnosis and treatment of anal incontinence in outpatient care are simple and usually quite feasible for the general practitioner. The main single cause of the incontinence is an age-related weakening of the pelvic floor. The basic care invariably involves moderation of the bowel function by medication and diet as well as strengthening of pelvic floor muscles, which is suitable for the treatment of both anal and urinary incontinence. If basic care does not help, the patient is sent into specialized care. Corrective surgical operations of the sphincter yield varying results. Neurostimulation can be tried for nearly all patients suffering from severe fecal incontinence.
authors.affiliation: TAYS, gastroenterologian vastuualue, PL 2000, 33521 Tampere.
authors.forename: Petri
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Aitola
authors.forename: Pekka
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Luukkonen