FECAL INCONTINENCE

FECAL INCONTINENCE

Fecal Incontinence, also known as bowel incontinence, is a condition characterized by loss of bowel control. This results in an involuntary or unexpected fecal elimination. This condition’s severity ranges from leakage of a small amount of stool, especially when passing gas to a total loss of bowel control.

Some people feel the sensation of the need to defecate but are unable to hold until they reach the toilet. Others don’t feel anything and defecate unknowingly.

The common causes of fecal incontinence include:

Fecal incontinence can be irritating, uncomfortable, and embarrassing. But it can be improved by treatment, so don’t hesitate to consult a doctor if you suspect you have this condition.

TYPES

There are two types of fecal incontinence. This include:

  • Urge Incontinence.This type is characterized by being unable to stop the urge to defecate. It comes so suddenly that one cannot make it to the toilet.
  • Passive Incontinence.This type is characterized by being unaware that there is a need to defecate. The stool comes out unknowingly.

SYMPTOMS

The main symptom of fecal incontinence is the loss of bowel control. This may be caused or associated with different conditions or illnesses such as:

  • Injury in the pelvic muscles
  • Injury in the rectum
  • Muscle damage in the anal sphincter (the end of the rectum)
  • Injury to the nerves that sense stool
  • Constipation
  • Diarrhea
  • Hemorrhoids
  • Loss of storage capacity in the rectum
  • Rectal prolapse or the condition wherein the rectum drops down in the anus
  • Rectocele or the state wherein the rectum bulges through the vagina

In diagnosing fecal incontinence, the doctor will interview about your medical history and your condition. Aside from visually examining your anus, the doctor may conduct other tests to pinpoint the leading cause. These tests include:

  • Digital rectal exam.The doctor inspects for abnormalities in the rectal area and evaluates the strength of the sphincter muscles by inserting a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum.
  • Balloon expulsion test. A balloon filled with water is inserted into the rectum, and the patient is asked to expel it. If it takes longer than 3 minutes, it may be a sign of a defecation disorder.
  • Anal manometry.A test performed to evaluate the tightness of the anal sphincter and the functionality of the rectum. It is inserting a narrow tube with a small balloon on its tip into the anus and rectum. The balloon may be expanded during the test.
  • Anorectal ultrasonography.A narrow instrument that captures video and images is inserted into the anus and rectum. This will aid in the evaluation of the sphincter.
  • This assesses how much stool the rectum can hold and how well the body expels stool by producing x-ray video images as the patient defecates.

 

TREATMENT

The doctor may prescribe medications for diarrhea or constipation in treating fecal incontinence, depending on the cause. The doctor may also recommend some dietary changes and exercise to improve the stool’s consistency and restore muscle strength.

Some therapies may be considered, such as:

  • Biofeedback or simple exercise that can improve anal muscle strength
  • Bowel training
  • Injection of bulking agents to thicken the walls of the anus
  • Sacral nerve stimulation to normalize the sensation and strength of the sphincter muscles

In some cases, surgery will be required, such as for those with sphincter damage. This includes procedures aimed to repair or undergo total replacement depending on the severity of the sphincter damage.

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