Definition:
The inability to take control of bowel movements which causes the stool to drip from the rectum unexpectedly
Diagnosis:
The doctor will ask questions like how often you experience the lack of ability to control bowels. Physical examination is also performed like visual inspection of the anus and the region lying among the anus and genitals for hemorroids, infections and other conditions. Digital exam is also performed to evaluate the strength of sphincter muscles and check for anomalies of the rectal area.
Treatment:
Dietary change: the doctor will recommend a diet that aids in gaining good stool consistency.
Medications: anti-diarrheal drugs, laxatives, stool softeners
Bowel training: learning to go to the toilet at a particular time of the day
Stool impaction treatment: the doctor inserts two fingers into the rectum to split impacted stool
Surgical options if other treatments did not work.
Sacral nerve stimulation
Symptoms and Signs:
It can be accompanied by other problems with bowel like diarrhea, constipation, gas and bloating and abdominal cramps.
Causes:
Lack of anal sphincter control or reduced consciousness of the urge to move bowel is the main cause of fecal incontinence. Conditions that can cause fecal incontinence are constipation, diarrhea, muscle damage, nerve damage, the lack of ability of the rectum to accommodate, surgery, rectal cancer, muscle strength loss due to age, chronic laxative user. Other conditions include rectal prolapse, rectocele for women and hemorrhoids.
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