Fecal incontinence is a result of the involuntary functioning of the excretory and digestive system, which causes involuntary discharge of fecal matter or gas via the rectum. It is one of the major types of incontinence and has to be dealt with in a prescribed and fairly technical manner. Technically speaking, it is a bit more difficult to deal with fecal incontinence that with urinary incontinence. Also known as bowel incontinence, fecal incontinence can be an embarrassing condition for a person but fortunately, the right kind of treatment and care and improve your quality of life even with fecal incontinence.
Here are a few ways which can help you treat fecal incontinence and make your life easier.
Changing your diet may help a lot in easing the load of fecal incontinence. Foods play a big role in determining the way your body acts during digestion and excretion.
If the fecal incontinence is caused by another medical condition, such as diarrhea, then medications might help curing it. Health care people sometimes recommend using bulk laxativesto develop more solid stools that are easier to control. Antidiarrheal medications may also be recommended to slow down the bowels and help control the problem. But the first and foremost step is to always consult with a doctor before using any kind of new medication or changing medication.
A regular bowel movement can help in hindering fecal incontinence, especially fecal incontinence caused by constipation. Training involves trying schedule bowel movements at specific times of the day, such as after every meal. As time passes, the body becomes used to a regular bowel movement pattern, thus reducing constipation and related fecal incontinence. Persistence is the key to successful bowel training. Achieving a regular bowel control pattern can take up to weeks or months.
Pelvic floor muscles exercises help control fecal incontinence. They involve squeezing and relaxing pelvic floor muscles 50 to 100 times a day. You may refer to a health guru or yoga expert to help you get the exercises correct. Biofeedback therapy may also help a person perform the exercises properly. This therapy may improve a person’s awareness of sensations in the rectum, teaching them how to coordinate squeezing the external sphincter muscle with the sensation of rectal filling. Biofeedback training uses specialized sensors to measure bodily functions. A person can practice the exercises at home. Success with pelvic floor exercises depends on the cause of fecal incontinence, its severity, and the person’s motivation and ability to follow the health care provider’s recommendations.
There are a number of surgical options that can help cure or control fecal incontinence which include:
Wearing adult diapers or briefs is another good caring option that one can take. These briefs are not visible easily on the outside and can be easily camouflaged under the clothes. They are absorbent and can help you get through an involuntary discharge at almost any time.
Fecal incontinence can be a tough and sometimes embarrassing condition to get through with, but the right kind of support, care, and treatment, one can easily improve their quality of life even while going through fecal incontinence.
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