Bowel Incontinence – Causes and Tips

The following information about bowel incontinence (also called fecal incontinence) is provided by the National Institute of Health (NIH):

Fecal incontinence, also called accidental bowel leakage, is the accidental passing of bowel movements—including solid stools, liquid stools, or mucus—from your anus.

The most common type of fecal incontinence is called urge incontinence. When you have urge incontinence, you feel a strong urge to have a bowel movement but cannot stop it before reaching a toilet. If you have urge incontinence, your pelvic floor muscles may be too weak to hold back a bowel movement due to muscle injury or nerve damage.

Another type of fecal incontinence is called passive incontinence. When you have passive incontinence, leakage occurs without you knowing it. If you have passive incontinence, your body may not be able to sense when your rectum is full.

Fecal incontinence can be upsetting and embarrassing. Some people may feel ashamed and try to hide the problem. You may be afraid or embarrassed to talk about fecal incontinence with your doctor. However, talking openly and honestly with your doctor is important in diagnosing and treating your fecal incontinence."

Causes of Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence has many possible causes, which you can review in this article by the National Institute of Health.

If bowel incontinence is frequent or is affecting your quality of life, it’s important to talk to your doctor so you can receive appropriate advice and treatment. This article gives tips about how to talk to your doctor.

Your doctor might want you to keep a bowel diary. You can download a diary format here.

In the article at this link the NIH gives helpful advice about bowel incontinence, including:

• Definitions and Facts
• Symptoms and Causes
• How bowel incontinence is diagnosed
• Treatment of bowel incontinence
• Eating, Diet, and Nutrition

Finding the Right Incontinence Products

The National Association for Continence provides advice about choosing the right incontinence products for your situation, including:

• Form
• Fit
• Function

They also offer ideas for keeping the bed clean and dry.

How Care is There can Help

• Help your loved one make an appointment with their healthcare providers to determine the cause of their incontinence
• Be present with your loved one at their appointments with healthcare providers. Ensure the health care provider has all the information they need, and record next steps for treatment.
• Help your loved one implement the instructions of health care providers
• Help your loved one implement lifestyle changes to help manage their condition
• Help choose and obtain incontinence supplies appropriate for your loved one’s needs
• Help your loved one obtain a better price for incontinence supplies than the price charged by their senior living community
• Help choose and manage personal care aides to assist with dressing and bathing, if necessary
• Help choose a residential care community, if desired

Resources for Bowel Incontinence

• National Institute of Health (NIH)
• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
• National Association for Continence

Next Steps

Is your loved one struggling with incontinence of the bowel?

Contact Care is There today for a free consultation!

Central Virginia: 434.326.5323
Toll Free: 800.434.1633
Email: Info@CareisThere.com

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