Fecal incontinence is a problem that affects about 40 million of us women, often because of childbirth trauma, and for others of us it comes with age.

Currently there are not great, noninvasive treatments for this common problem that is associated with social isolation, anxiety, depression, and even increased mortality.

A new technique under study, called “TNT,” uses the power of the magnet to produce electrical energy that helps rejuvenate and heal nerves, which are key to bowel control. The nerves can then again deliver the message to muscles in the anus that they need to hold onto stool. The investigators are now learning more about how “TNT” works, and how often it’s needed to optimally help patients.

In this week’s Medical Minute, Dr. Joseph Hobbs, chairman of the Department of Family Medicine at the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University, discusses a new treatment technique under study for the debilitating problem of fecal incontinence.

The Medical Minute airs at 8:18 a.m., 1:20 p.m. and 5:18 p.m. every Saturday and Sunday on 17 GPB radio stations across Georgia. For more Medical Minute episodes, visit the Medical Minute 2020 SoundCloud page.