Bowel Control

You are not alone.

Accidental leakage of stool. Inability to get to the bathroom in time. Finding stool in your underpants. These are embarassing, but unfortunately common problems. It's true: 1/12 adults has difficulty with these symptoms. People you know have these problems, but no one talks about it. We can help you regain control and have an improved quality of life.

There is help.

Conservative Therapy

Additional Testing

Surgical Treatments

After a thorough medical history and physical exam to evalaute for other medical conditions, we will almost always try to treat your problem initially with conservative therapies--meaning fiber to bulk your stool, most often in the form of fiber gummies, and a small dose of imodium, often just 2 mg once a day, to help firm the stool and increase the strength of the anal sphincter muscle. Fiber helps by bulking the stool and making it more formed, allowing your body to sense it and pass it completely when appropriate.

Avoiding coffee can be helpful as well as it relaxes the anal anal sphincter muscle and contributes to loose bowel movements.

Often these interventions alone will resolve the problem. Dr. Olson or Muraliraj may have you use a bowel diary to keep track or your symptoms.

If symptoms continue after a trial of conservative therapy, we may recommend further testing to help determine the cause of your bowel control difficulties and the best treatment for you:

Anal Manometry: Examines the stregnth and sensory function of the anal sphincter muscle (the muscle that helps hold in your stool)

Sitz Marker Test: Examines function of the colon if there is a component of constipation

MRI Defecography: Evalautes the rectal anatomy during a bowel movement to determine if there are any abnormalities.

Interstim: This is the most common performed procedure for bowel control problems. It is minimally invasive, and vastly improves sympoms in over 80% of patients, and completely resolves symptoms in 50% of patients. Learn more here. Or check out the videos at the bottom of this page. This is truly a life changing procedure for the right patient, and Drs. Olson and Muraliraj have helped many patients reclaim their wellness and ability to go through the day without worry or embarassament.

Ventral Mesh Rectopexy: This can be an excellent solution for some patients with co-existing internal rectal prolapse, which can be detected on physical exam and testing. Dr. Olson has performed over 100 robotic ventral mesh rectopexies, and frequently speaks on the topic, ensuring you are in good hands with your care.

Downloadable Bowel Diary

Videos from an Interstim patient: Mitzi's Story

Schedule a Consultation

Waxahachie is easily accessible from anywhere in the Dallas Fort Worth Complex, and a short drive from DFW international airport. We also offer video visits for initial consultations and follow ups, making it easy to be seen if the drive is too far. Please call 469.800.9830 to schedule a consultation or use the links below.

Schedule with Dr. Olson

Schedule with Dr. Muraliraj