Fecal Incontinence

When stool (feces) flows out from the rectum accidentally, it`s known as fecal incontinence. Under ordinary circumstances, stool enters the ending part of the large intestine, called the rectum. Since the anus fills with feces, the anal sphincter muscle (a circular muscle surrounding the anal canal) prevents feces from appearing out of their rectum until it`s the right time to own a deliberate (controlled) gut motion.

Numerous conditions can lead to incontinence. The most common reason for incontinence is the anal sphincter becomes too weak to support the feces from the rectum. Alternatively, sometimes the rectum may begin to reduce its ability or the person might be not able to feel that the rectum is full. Additionally, a person has to have the ability to be aware of the necessity be mobile enough to reach the bathroom with time, and to empty the bowel. Diarrhea from any cause makes rash worse (as it`s more challenging to get a handle on liquid feces than solid feces ).

The anal sphincter may become weak from direct harm to the muscle or from damage to the nerves that cause the muscle to contract.

Damage to muscles can be caused by:

• Childbirth

• Rectal surgery

• Inflammatory bowel disease (notably Crohn`s disease)

• Trauma

Damage to nerves can be caused by:

• Diabetes

• Back injury

• Multiple sclerosis

• Unknown Aspects

The sphincter muscle might be weak by aging, since our human body tissues often weaken as we get older.

Symptoms

Signs of fecal incontinence may range from irregular spotting of feces, into the complete inability to comprise good stool.

Diagnosis

In the same way as any anal or rectal condition, doctors evaluate contraceptive initially by scrutinizing the anus, feeling within the rectum with a gloved finger (digital rectal exam), and appearing in the anal canal with a tiny short extent ("anoscope"). There can be scarring or a defect at the canal When there has been damage to the rectal muscle.

Also, the digital rectal exam will show a weakness of the rectal muscle. Nerve damage might be identified with the"wink" test, in which a physician reaches the rectum to determine whether the hairline contracts generally.

The test is many times a sigmoidoscopy. A physician inserts a thin, flexible tube (fitted with a light and camcorder ) to the anus to look for tumors, inflammation or other problems. Your physician may also indicate a barium enema x-ray or colonoscopy to look for problems from the colon upstream.

Further diagnostic evaluations might include anal manometry, electromyography ("EMG"), along with anal ultrasound. Anal measures the strength of their anal sphincter muscle. EMG measures the nerves that go to the rectal muscle`s role. Anal ultrasound may give a picture of the structure of the muscle (to see whether you can find any tears or defects in muscular ).

Expected Duration

When that problem is medicated, fecal incontinence, when because of some temporary problem such as acute nausea or fecal impaction, disappears. Nevertheless, in some cases incontinence could be very tricky to control and acute. This is more likely to happen in those that are frail, elderly or immobile.

Prevention

Most frequently fecal incontinence cannot be prevented. Taking steps to have regular bowel movements and avoiding constipation with fecal impaction will provide help.

Procedure

Treatment for erectile dysfunction incontinence depends on the reason for the issue. If incontinence is the result of diarrhea might allow you to have firmer stools, which increase the sense of fullness. Anti diarrhea medications such as for example"Kaopectate," loperamide ("Imodium") or"Lomotil" are different choices for curing nausea.

In case the status may be the result of impaction, the hardened feces could be removed manually or with enemas. Emptying the anus completely every morning (sometimes with the help of a glycerin suppository or an enema) might help, as there will be less stool to flow out during your day.

Pelvic muscle exercises (Kegel exercises) are sometimes useful. You need to rehearse hammering your toenails three or more times a day. It`s also imperative that you deal with your muscles whenever you`re feeling rested in the rectum.

An effective means to cure chronic incontinence has been biofeedback. People may learn, with the help of a monitor and also a nurse, to coordinate contraction of the sphincter muscle when feces is at the rectum, with the fullness that occurs. Learning the technique requires training and patience.

The last choice is surgery when conservative treatments fail. Many people today gain in operations to repair the anal sphincter muscle ("sphincteroplasty"). Sphincteroplasty is beneficial only if evaluations show that there has been major damage to the muscle in childbirth, trauma, or previous surgery (it`s is not effective when the rectal muscle is weak only from nerve damage or aging).

Yet another alternative is to implant electric stimulation electrodes across the tail bone to help deal with the sphincter muscle ("sacral nerve stimulation"). Sacral nerve stimulation is still somewhat experimental, but promising. Anal sphincter apparatus can be found, but they also have complication prices. All of these procedures have moderate success rates, nevertheless.

In the end, if everything else fails, surgery may enhance the standard of life for a few patients with acute rash.

When to Contact a Qualified

Because of the embarrassment enclosing fecal incontinence, lots of people wait longer than necessary before seeking help. Ask with your physician if the inability to control your bowel movements is an ongoing problem.

Prognosis

However some types of fecal incontinence are harder to treat than others, most people of this issue may achieve some improvement. Between 70% and 80% of people who have this problem undergo some aid with treatment.

External sources

American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) 11400 Tomahawk Creek Parkway Leawood, KS 66211-2672 Phone: 913-906-6000Toll-Free: 1-800-274-2237 http://www.familydoctor.org/

American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons, Phone: 847-290-9184Fax: 847-290-9203http://www.fascrs.org

National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse2 Information WayBethesda, MD 20892-3570Phone: 1-800-891-5389http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/digest.htm

Further advice

Always consult with your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on these pages relates to your personal circumstances.