Fecal Incontinence

This is a serious condition that can create a wide range of issues that extend from confidence issues to a lower quality of life. Because of how difficult it can be to manage fecal incontinence and the symptoms that come with it, you should be aware of what causes this problem so that you can get it treated right away.

Understanding Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence is a condition that involves being unable to properly control their bowel movements, which means that you will likely go through a large number of accidents while suffering from this condition. Fecal incontinence can occur at any age, but is most common among women who are over the age of 50. Many patients choose to delay treatment of this condition because of the embarrassment it causes them. However, obtaining treatment early on can help you mitigate the problems that are caused by this condition.

What Causes Fecal Incontinence?

There are a large number of factors that can heighten your risk of suffering from fecal incontinence. Most people who are affected by this condition also suffer from more than one of the major contributing factors. The most common risk factors for this condition include:

• Diarrhea
• Adverse drug reactions
• Immobility
• A weakening of your pelvic floor
• Abnormal muscular function in the pelvic area

It's also common for the anal sphincteric muscle to be weakened because of nerve damage, surgery, or some form of trauma, which can lead to the development of fecal incontinence. Changes in your stool consistency as well as certain disorders can increase your risk of being affected by fecal incontinence.

Available Treatments

The main goal of any treatment option for fecal incontinence is to make sure that the patient is once again able to have normal bowel movements, which should immediately provide improvements to their quality of life. The type of treatment that you're provided with all depends on how severe your case of fecal incontinence is. In the event that you have a mild case of fecal incontinence that has yet to cause major problems with your life, some conservative measures like lifestyle changes and dietary changes may be recommended.

The lifestyle changes typically include making scheduled bowel movements and lessening your physical activity after eating. The dietary measures can include everything from reducing caffeine intake to avoiding foods that worsen symptoms. If these measures don't restore your continence, surgery could be necessary. The main surgeries that are used for the treatment of fecal incontinence include sacral nerve stimulation and sphincteroplasty, both of which have proven to be effective at relieving this condition.