Faecal Urgency and Faecal Incontinence in Hereditary Spinocerebellar Ataxia
Bowel dysfunction — notably faecal urgency and faecal incontinence — is a recognised complication in patients with hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia. These symptoms have a significant impact on quality of life and require structured clinical evaluation before treatment is initiated.
Clinical scenario: A patient with hereditary spinocerebellar ataxia presenting with faecal urgency and/or faecal incontinence. Specialist assessment to identify the specific underlying cause is indicated before selecting a management approach.
Following specialist assessment, management may involve pharmacological options alongside behavioural and pelvic-floor-directed rehabilitative therapies — with the specific approach determined by the cause identified at assessment. The complete structured regimen is available below.
References
Urgency and faecal incontinence warrants specialist assessment: treatment options include loperamide, behavioral and pelvic floor directed therapies, and consideration of digital anorectal stimulation, depending on specific cause identified at such an assessment.
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