Fecal Incontinence
What is a Fecal Incontinence?
Fecal incontinence can be defined as helplessness in controlling bowel movement, which causes stool (feces) to leak suddenly from rectum. Also known as bowel incontinence, it may range from an occasional leakage of stool in the process of passing gas to loss of complete bowel control. It can affect someone as early at the age of 4 and can cause much inconvenience to sufferer.
Symptoms of Fecal Incontinence
Some of the symptoms of Fecal Incontinence include:
- Staining or soiling of underwear
- Disability to reach toilet on time(even when you may feel emergency)
- Complete loose of control over bowel motions
- Bladder control problem in addition to fecal incontinency
- Flatulence and feeling of irritation in anus
Though it can be a relatively minor problem causing occasional soiling of underwear, in other cases it can be overwhelming due to complete lack of control over bowel movement.
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Fecal Incontinence Causes
People who suffer from chronic constipation are more likely to suffer to fecal incontinency.
There are several other causes of fecal incontinency and few other involve:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Muscle or nerve damage
- It can be due to weakened anal sphincter that associates with aging
- Damage to the nerve and muscle of rectum and anus after giving birth.
- Chronic laxative use
- Sensation of rectal fullness
- Gynecological, prostate, or rectal surgery
- Chronic Hemroids or rectal prolapsed
Irrespective of causes and symptoms, fecal incontinence can be way too embarrassing for sufferer. It’s imperative on part of sufferer to seek the best possible treatment since varieties of effective cures are available online, depending upon your symptoms. Few common ways to prevent fecal incontinency are:
Drinking amply of water to avoid constipation
Fiber rich diet
Avoid prolonged bed rest
Exercise on a regular basis
Other fecal incontinency treatments include:
- Dietary changes
- Medications
- Special exercises and treatments including recommended medicines
Other therapies for Treatment of Fecal Incontinence
Anti diarrheal drugs: Doctor may recommend medications to reduce diarrhea to avoid incontinence. Drug named loperamide (Imodium) can be used to treat diarrhea.
Laxatives: Doctor may recommend the temporary use of mild laxatives, such as milk of magnesia, to help restore normal bowel movements.
