Axonics Therapy for Fecal Incontinence: What to Expect
Adults often struggle to discuss certain medical problems, and control of the bowels is in that category.
Fecal incontinence, or anal incontinence, is when you leak feces from your rectum before you reach the restroom, and sometimes you may not realize you’re doing it. This condition is more common among those 65 or older, but it can affect people at any age.
And while it’s understandable you may be reluctant to discuss fecal incontinence, it’s important to let your doctor know so you can get the help you need.
Dr. Neeraj Kohli and our dedicated team at BostonUrogyn offer Axonics® Therapy to treat women in and around Hudson and Wellesley, Massachusetts, struggling with fecal incontinence.
If you want to regain control of your life, read on to see how Axonics Therapy can help and what you can expect from this advanced treatment for fecal incontinence.
Facts about fecal incontinence
Bowel movements are controlled by a number of factors, including:
Muscles in your rectum and anus working properly
Your rectum’s ability to stretch to hold stool
Your ability to recognize signals to go to the bathroom
Dysfunction anywhere in the process can result in fecal incontinence. Conditions that might lead to dysfunction include:
Frequent diarrhea or constipation
Muscle or nerve damage
Reduced elasticity in your rectum
Age-related rectum and anus weakness
Laxative abuse
Radiation treatments
Crohn’s disease
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Rectal prolapse
Congenital defects
Women who’ve given birth may also be at risk of fecal incontinence.
How Axonics Therapy helps
Axonics Therapy is the brand name for a new form of sacral neuromodulation implant that relieves symptoms by regulating the nerve signals traveling from your brain to your bowels and related muscles.
The device is implanted under your skin in your upper buttock with a wire connected to your sacral nerves. If you’ve tried medications, exercises, biofeedback, and behavioral changes with no results, Axonics Therapy might just solve your problem.
What to expect from Axonics Therapy
This implant requires two stages:
Evaluation phase
In the evaluation stage, we check how your body responds to the stimulation. To do that, you wear a temporary device on a belt with a wire inserted under your skin attached to your sacral nerves.
The evaluation phase can last up to three weeks, during which time we assess how much improvement you’ve made with your fecal incontinence symptoms.
Implant phase
If you respond well to the external device, we implant a permanent device in your buttock with a lead attached and a battery that can last up to five years. Unlike other sacral neuromodulators, this device has a rechargeable battery and can undergo full-body MRI scans.
Axonics Therapy can make a big difference if you’re struggling with the inconvenience and embarrassment of fecal incontinence, and the benefits can last for years. If you want to see how this treatment can help you, call Dr. Kohli at BostonUrogyn today or book your visit online.
