What is Fecal Incontinence?

Fecal incontinence is the lack of control of bowel movements, causing involuntary loss of stool. This can be caused by several reasons, including, but not limited to, nerve damage, hemorrhoids, and rectal prolapse. This can greatly affect your quality of life and be very debilitating. Normal bowel control involves both muscles and nerves. If the nerves between the brain and bowel are not communicating correctly, the bowel muscles may not function properly causing bowel control issues like fecal incontinence. The only way to determine if this miscommunication is nerve-related is by performing a Basic Nerve Evaluation.

Blair Gastro Offers Basic Nerve (PNE) Testing for Fecal Incontinence

At Blair Gastroenterology Associates, we offer a PNE, or Basic Nerve Evaluation test. This is a diagnostic test for patients experiencing frequent urination, leaking, incomplete emptying of the bladder, and fecal incontinence. The Basic Nerve Evaluation is performed at Blair Gastroenterology’s in house Ambulatory Surgical Facility. This is a state of the art facility licensed in the State of Pennsylvania that is focused on providing same day surgical care. This is a great alternative to hospital based outpatient procedures. We focus solely on quality care and positive patient outcomes.

What Can I Expect During a Basic Nerve (PNE) Test?

The Basic Nerve Evaluation consists of placing hair thin catheters next to the tailbone, which is easily accessible, and gently stimulates the nerves that control your bowel. It is important to establish a baseline for your bowel symptoms, so you will need to keep a bowel diary over the next five to seven days. Please make sure to bring this bowel diary with you on your test date. This procedure takes fifteen to twenty minutes. The goal is for you to see at least a 50% improvement in symptoms. If achieved, your gastroenterologist can then make a decision on what the next course of treatment will be. Please call Blair Gastroenterology Associates today to schedule an appointment for an evaluation.