Bowel incontinence affects nearly one in four women, but many are not ready to discuss it. In reality, bowel incontinence can be a devastating and emotionally draining disease that interferes with daily life and work – and it’s not the sufferer’s fault. If you have bowel incontinence or know someone who does, there are ways to treat Uterine Illness successfully. Here are details you should know about bowel incontinence in women.
1. The Basics of Bowel Incontinence
Bowel incontinence is an issue that affects many women, but most keep it to themselves. The two most common types of bowel incontinence are stress and urge incontinence. Stress incontinence occurs when a woman coughs, sneezes, or laughs and her pelvic muscles weaken to allow small amounts of urine or stool to pass from the rectum.
Urge incontinence occurs when your intestines contract to empty themselves, causing pressure on your bladder and rectum. For either type of incontinence, women should speak with their pelvic health physiotherapists about bowel incontinence treatment options and how they can prevent this condition from worsening and make sure they’re getting the proper treatment.
2. Causes and Symptoms of Bowel Incontinence
Bowel, or fecal incontinence, is a condition that causes people to leak stool or gas from their rectum. It can happen anytime and range from a few drops to continuous leakage. Common causes of bowel incontinence include childbirth, anal fissures, diabetes, or multiple sclerosis. It may also be due to neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
Bowel incontinence often happens when an individual has an urge to defecate but cannot control their bowels long enough for the desire to pass. Symptoms of bowel incontinence are usually apparent- they include;
- Leaking stool, gas, or mucus from the rectum
- Noticing unpleasant odors around you or near your anus
- Feeling like you need to go again soon after emptying your bowels
- Sudden urges to go to the bathroom with the inability to hold back
- Feeling like you need to go again more quickly after emptying your bowels
- Wiping yourself more than once without being able to get everything clean
3. Diagnosis
First, it is essential to diagnose bowel incontinence. Two tests can help to see if a person has bowel incontinence. These tests are called a bladder diary and an anal manometry test. The bowel diary tracks how often a person has gas or bowel movements daily. The information from this diary will help to determine what is causing the bowel leakage. Suppose there are several bowel movements throughout the day and night without any control over them. In that case, this may indicate that someone has colonic inertia, which prevents their bowels from emptying properly.
The other type, the rectal manometry test, uses a device to measure pressures in different areas within the anus and rectum. The best way to find out what kind of treatment might work for you is to consult your doctor about your options. Pelvic floor health physios can perform an ultrasound to assess pelvic floor muscle strength and thickness. Stretching and exercise programs are also very helpful when treating women with bowel incontinence.
4. Treatment and Prevention
Bowel incontinence can result from childbirth, aging, surgery, injury, or illness. Various treatments are available to help with bowel incontinence, including constipation medications, pelvic floor exercises, and physiotherapy. Pelvic floor physiotherapy teaches people how to contract and relax muscles in their bodies through special equipment. Stretching and exercise programs are also very helpful when treating women with bowel incontinence.
Pelvic floor strengthening exercises help tighten the pelvic floor muscles for a few seconds, then relax. It may consist of several sets of these stretches with repetitions every day until there is an improvement. Some foods may also aggravate bowel incontinence; watch out for these foods by reading food labels and always talk to your doctor if you notice any changes in your stool consistency.
5. Social and Professional Support
Millions of people live with the challenge of bowel incontinence every day. Some experience it daily, while others have occasional episodes when they laugh too hard or sneeze unexpectedly. Of great importance is to note that there are dedicated professionals who specialize in understanding how bowel incontinence affects both sexes and work closely with patients to help them manage their lives better.
They also offer education programs, counseling services, and ongoing support groups to help sufferers regain control of their lives. Your doctor can also help you join a community like The National Association of Continence which offers fellowship with other individuals suffering from bowel incontinence. Remembering you are not alone will help alleviate some of the shame and stigma surrounding this condition. There is hope for a better quality of life!
Conclusion
It is essential to understand that bowel incontinence in women can affect all stages of life, including pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause. It is not a sign of incapability or weakness. It is also not a result of poor housekeeping. Causes vary and may include factors such as genetics, lifestyle, medication side effects, etc. The good news is that treatments are available for this condition, such as pelvic floor physiotherapy, diet changes, and medication. If you suffer from any symptoms of bowel incontinence, please speak with your physiotherapist to determine the cause and find the right treatment plan for you.