Report from IFFGD Research Award Winner: Mechanisms of Fecal Incontinence
In this article, I will try to provide a flavor for our research activities and highlight what we understand about the mechanisms of fecal incontinence and constipation. Fecal incontinence is a relatively common symptom. In listening to patients, I realized that fecal incontinence could have a devastating impact on lifestyle, that our understanding of factors responsible for incontinence was limited, and that available therapies were of variable efficacy. Therefore, our studies are directed toward answering several important questions pertaining to "idiopathic" fecal incontinence, that is fecal incontinence not resulting from another underlying disease such as multiple sclerosis.
Topics: Anal, Rectal Disorders, Bowel urgency, Fact Sheet, Incontinence, Motility, Pelvic floor disorders, Research