Fecal incontinence is prevalent among U.S. women, especially those in older age groups, those who have had numerous babies, women whose deliveries were assisted by forceps or vacuum devices, and those who have had a hysterectomy. Many women who have fecal incontinence also have another medical condition, such as major depression or diabetes, and often experienced urinary incontinence in addition to fecal incontinence. See also urinary Incontinence.
Fecal Incontinence
treatment, what can be done
Treatment for mild fecal incontinence can range from increasing
water intake, changes in
diet and
exercise, to medications that improve the formation of stools,
fiber products such as
psyllium, to surgery that
repairs the sphincter muscles. In some cases, an artificial bowel
sphincter can be implanted under the skin to mimic the natural function of
the anal sphincter.
Biofeedback – which involves daily exercises to improve the strength
of muscles used to hold back a bowel movement – also is an option for some
patients. Fecal incontinence product.
Psyllium powder is effective
Dis Colon Rectum. 2015. Loperamide Versus Psyllium Fiber for Treatment of
Fecal Incontinence: The Fecal Incontinence Prescription (Rx) Management
(FIRM) Randomized Clinical Trial. Fecal incontinence is a devastating
condition with few US Food and Drug Administration-approved pharmacologic
treatment options. The purpose of this study was to examine the
effectiveness and tolerability of loperamide compared with psyllium for
reducing fecal incontinence. We hypothesized that psyllium fiber
supplementation would be more effective than loperamide for reducing fecal
incontinence episodes and have fewer adverse effects. Both loperamide and
psyllium improve fecal incontinence. Loperamide was associated with more
adverse effects, especially constipation.
Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2014. New
treatments for fecal incontinence: Update for the gastroenterologist. Fecal
incontinence is one of the most emotionally devastating of all nonfatal
conditions. Many patients do not respond satisfactorily to conservative
measures and there is a need for new and effective strategies when medical
therapy fails. The development of sacral nerve stimulation (SNS) and other
forms of neuromodulation and the injection of biologically compatible
substances into the anal sphincter complex have brought renewed enthusiasm
for using these novel treatments in this underserved population. Because
injectable bulking agents such as dextranomer in stabilized hyaluronic acid
can be administered in an outpatient setting, this procedure is being
marketed to both gastroenterologists and surgeons.
Fecal Incontinence cause, why it happens
Fecal Incontinence can occur after damage to the anal sphincter
muscles or scarring to the rectum, causing it to be unable to hold stool.
Ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and some other conditions can cause
this scarring to occur. Another contributing factor can be the stretching
of the nerves that supply the sphincters, called the pudendal nerves,
which can occur with childbirth, old age, trauma, or with medical diseases
that affect the nerves, such as diabetes. Without intact nerves to
stimulate the sphincters, the sphincters may undergo atrophy. Because of
the nature of the condition, people who have fecal incontinence often do
not discuss it with their doctors.
Fecal
matter definition
Fecal matter is defined as a solid excretion product evacuated from
the bowels.
Fecal impaction is a mass of dry, hard stool that can't be
eliminated by a normal bowel movement. It often follows an extended period
of constipation.
Fecal Coliform
These bacteria are found in the feces of humans and other
warm-blooded animals. These bacteria can enter rivers through direct
discharge from mammals and birds, from agricultural and storm runoff
carrying wastes from birds and mammals, and from human sewage discharge
into the water.
Fecal occult blood test detects blood in the stool by placing a
small sample of stool on a chemically treated card, pad, or wipe; then a
chemical developer solution is put on top of the sample. If the card, pad,
or cloth turns blue, there is blood in the stool.