Many cases are caused by diarrhoea, constipation, or weakening of the muscle that controls the opening of the anus. It can also be caused by long-term conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and dementia.
Simple treatments—such as diet changes, medicines, bowel training, and exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles—can improve symptoms by about 60 percent. These treatments can stop fecal incontinence in 1 out of 5 people.
Fecal loading, cognitive impairment, loose stools, functional disability, comorbidity and anorectal incontinence are recognized as factors contributing to loss of fecal continence in older adults.
you have sudden urges to poo that you cannot control. you soil yourself without realising you needed the toilet. you sometimes leak poo – for example, when you fart. it happens every day or from time to time – a one-off "accident" when you're ill with diarrhoea is not usually a problem.
Bowel incontinence can be upsetting and hard to cope with, but treatment is effective and a cure is often possible, so make sure you see your GP. It's important to remember that: Bowel incontinence isn't something to be ashamed of – it's simply a medical problem that's no different from diabetes or asthma.
Fecal Incontinence
Dietary fiber (whole grains, fruits, vegetables, or high fiber cereals) or over-the-counter fiber supplements can help make stools more formed, resulting in more complete passage during bowel movements and improved evacuation of stools.
Vitamin D
Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient for optimal muscle function. A deficiency in vitamin D puts you at a high risk of experiencing pelvic muscle floor disorders like fecal incontinence. You can take a test to determine your vitamin D levels through a blood test in a hospital.
People who have long-standing diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or back trauma from injury or surgery may be at risk of fecal incontinence. These conditions can damage nerves that help control defecation. Dementia. Fecal incontinence is often present in late-stage Alzheimer's disease and dementia.
It is not a normal part of aging, but as you age, you may be more at risk for the condition. In order to maintain bowel control, the pelvic area must work correctly. If not, incontinence may occur.
You should see a doctor if your fecal incontinence is frequent or severe. Although some people are able to manage mild or infrequent fecal incontinence on their own, you should see a doctor if your fecal incontinence is affecting your quality of life or causing emotional or social distress.
Medications. Depending on the cause of fecal incontinence, options include: Anti-diarrheal drugs such as loperamide (Imodium A-D) and those containing diphenoxylate and atropine (Lomotil). Bulk laxatives such as methylcellulose (Citrucel) and psyllium (Metamucil), if chronic constipation is causing your incontinence.
For some, it can mean twice a day, and for others, three times a week is normal. However, if you often have infrequent bowel movements, you may be constipated. Symptoms of constipation include: Fewer than three bowel movements a week.
The most common causes of a loose poop are things like viruses, food allergies and medication side effects. Some chronic conditions can, too: Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis.
In their study of over 16,000 people across 20 years, one team of researchers found that bowel leakage was a marker within the year of developing incontinence for colorectal cancer, other types of gastrointestinal cancers, and lymphoma.
Slow exercises: Squeeze and tighten your anal sphincter muscles as tight as you can. Hold for as long as you can (up to 10 seconds). Then slowly release the muscle and rest for few seconds. Repeat as many as you can (up to 10 times).
Vitamin B12 deficency can cause urinary incontinence that can be cured with B12 supplementation. One preliminary study, but not others, have found that low blood levels of B12 were associated with urinary incontinence in older people.
Good sources of fiber are found in lots of foods such as split peas, many types of beans, and berries. Fiber supplements can also help, and can be found in many health food stores. Look for products that contain psyllium or methylcellulose.
Instead, over-the-counter drugs such as polyethylene glycol (Miralax and generic), bisacodyl (Dulcolax laxative tablets and generic), or senna (Ex-Lax, Senokot, and generic) are a far better choice. They tend to work at least as well, often have more evidence for their safety, and are much cheaper.
Avoid foods that increase your risk of bowel incontinence like alcohol and caffeine, prunes and some fruit juices, spicy foods, dairy products, beans, smoked meats, and artificial sweeteners. Then begin to eat more bananas, apple sauce, peanut butter, pasta, potatoes, and cheese. These will slow down and thicken stool.
Eat foods that make stool bulkier.
Foods that contain soluble, or digestible, fiber slow the emptying of the bowels. Examples are bananas, rice, tapioca, bread, potatoes, apple- 3 Fecal Incontinence Page 4 sauce, cheese, smooth peanut butter, yogurt, pasta, and oatmeal.
Drink 8-10 cups of fluid per day, like water, broth, half-strength juice, weak tea, or electrolyte replacement drinks. Eat small frequent meals slowly during the day. Try sources of soluble fibre to help firm up stool. Limit fried or fatty foods since these can worsen diarrhea.