what to do if you have weak bowels

Fecal (Bowel) Incontinence

Fecal incontinence, also called anal incontinence, is a term used when bowel movements cannot be controlled. Stool (feces/waste) leaks out the rectum at unwanted times. Depending on the cause, treatment can include ane or more of these approaches: dietary changes, bowel training, medications, or surgery.

Overview

What is fecal incontinence?

Fecal incontinence – also called anal incontinence – is the term used when bowel movements cannot be controlled. Stool (carrion/waste matter/poop) leaks out of the rectum when you don't desire it too, which means not during planned bathroom breaks. This leakage occurs with or without your noesis. Fecal incontinence happens more than often in women than in men and as well happens more than ofttimes among older people.

The term fecal incontinence is used if any of these situations occur:

Stool leaks out when passing gas.
Stool leaks out due to concrete activity/daily life exertions.
Feeling like you have to go and not beingness able to brand it to the bathroom in time.
Stool is seen in the underwear after a normal bowel movement.
There is complete loss of bowel control.

Why does fecal incontinence happen?

Several factors affect continence of stool or the power to control bowel movement:

Muscles in the rectum and anus (the very last two sections of the intestines) must be working properly.
The rectum must be able to stretch to concur the stool. A "rectal awareness" has to exist present to provide warning of the need to motion bowels. When properly working, this means that y'all get a feeling that it is time to go to the bathroom.
The anal muscles (sphincters) must accept the ability to squeeze the anus shut. If these muscles are non working properly, stool can leave the body unexpectedly.
You lack the physical and mental abilities to "recognize the signal" that it is time to become to the bathroom to movement bowels, or the concrete quickness to reach the bathroom.
Stools are very watery or explosive or both.

If any of these body functions are not working properly, y'all may have fecal incontinence.

Symptoms and Causes

What causes changes in body functions that lead to fecal incontinence?

Frequent diarrhea or constipation . These conditions cause the muscles in the rectum and anus to weaken. When these muscles weaken, the ability to concur stool within the body also weakens.
Musculus harm. Muscle damage can occur during a difficult vaginal childbirth, when doctors accept to apply forceps or brand a small-scale cut (an episiotomy) to brand a larger opening. Muscle impairment can likewise result from anal or rectal surgery.
Older age. Muscles in the rectum and anus naturally weaken with age. Other nearby structures in the pelvis expanse also loosen with historic period. This adds to the full general weakness seen in that area of the body, leading to problems with stool control. Loose stool is more difficult to control than solid stool. When a big amount of loose stool arrives rapidly in the rectum, there may not be plenty warning to attain the bathroom in time.
Damage to nerves. If the nerves that control the ability of the rectum and anus muscles to contract are damaged, incontinence can result. Nerves that control "rectal sensation" can also pb to incontinence if they are damaged. Nerve damage tin happen during a difficult vaginal delivery, anal surgery, constipation (resulting in bouts of frequent and severe straining), or the presence of certain health conditions (such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, stroke or a spinal tumor).
Inability of the rectum to stretch. If the muscles of the rectum are not as elastic every bit they should be, backlog stool that builds upwardly can leak out. Inflammatory bowel illness (such as Crohn's disease) can likewise impact the rectum's ability to stretch. The scars resulting from surgery and radiations therapy tin too stiffen the muscles of the rectum.
Other medical conditions. Certain medical weather condition, such as rectal prolapse (the rectum falls downward into the anus) or rectocele (the rectum pushes into the vagina), or chronic constipation where stool leaks around a large stool ball, can pb to fecal incontinence.
Other causes: Laxative abuse, radiation treatments, certain nervous system and built (inherited) defects, inflammation (swelling), and inflammatory bowel disease may touch the power to control stool.

Diagnosis and Tests

What tests are used to diagnose fecal incontinence?

Y'all'll be evaluated past a gastroenterologist and/or a colorectal surgeon who is trained to help you lot. Your doctor will ask you questions about your condition and and then perform a physical exam and a rectal examination. Don't exist embarrassed to talk to your healthcare provider. They understand you lot may feel uncomfortable talking well-nigh this problem.

The following tests may be done to diagnose fecal incontinence:

Anal manometry : This exam studies the force of the anal sphincter muscles. A short, thin tube, inserted up into the anus and rectum, is used to measure the sphincter tightness.
Endoluminal ultrasound or anal ultrasound: This examination helps evaluate the shape and structure of the anal sphincter muscles and surrounding tissue. In this examination, a small probe is inserted upwards into the anus and rectum to take images of the sphincters.
Pudendal nervus concluding motor latency test: This test measures the part of the pudendal fretfulness, which are involved in bowel control.
Anal electromyography (EMG): This test determines if nerve harm is the reason why the anal sphincters are non working properly. Information technology also examines the coordination between the rectum and anal muscles.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy or proctosigmoidoscopy: This test evaluates the finish of the large bowel or colon, looking for any abnormalities — such every bit inflammation, tumor or scar tissue — that may cause fecal incontinence. To perform this test, a thin tube with a camera attached at the end is inserted into the rectum up to the sigmoid colon. This allows the lining of the bowel to be viewed.
Proctography (also called defecography ): This exam is done in the radiology department. In this test, an X-ray video is taken that shows how well the rectum is functioning. The video shows how much stool the rectum tin hold, how well the rectum holds the stool, and how well the rectum releases the stool. To make the X-ray video for this test, a pocket-size amount of liquid barium is released into colon and rectum (through a tube inserted up into the rectum).
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): This test is washed in the radiology department. It is an imaging exam sometimes used to evaluate the pelvic organs.

Management and Treatment

How is fecal incontinence treated?

Depending on the crusade of fecal incontinence, handling tin can include i or more than of these approaches: dietary changes, bowel training (biofeedback), medications or surgery.

What are medical treatment options for treating fecal incontinence?

Dietary tips

The goal of dietary changes is that you avoid foods or drinks that may cause loose stools, including:

Caffeine, booze, some fruit juices and prunes.
Beans and cabbage family vegetables.
Spicy foods and cured or smoked meats.
Dairy products.
Artificial sweeteners.

Other foods thicken the stool, which may aid fecal control. These foods include:

Bananas.
Apple tree sauce.
Peanut butter.
Pasta.
Potatoes.
Cheese.

Bowel preparation

There are two types of bowel preparation. The goal of the first type is to develop a "going-to-the-bathroom" design. By setting upwardly a routine, you can gain greater control over your bowel movements. Taking a daily enema at consequent times will assistance command stool removal and subtract episodes of fecal incontinence. Don't employ an enema without checking with your doctor first.

The goal of the 2nd blazon of bowel grooming is to learn certain exercises that can strengthen the muscles around the anus. A trained therapist volition teach you how to locate the correct muscles and perform the exercises. This procedure is called biofeedback.

Medications

Medications that are usually prescribed include anti-diarrheal drugs and cobweb supplements. These medications decrease movement of the stool through the intestine and firm upwards the stool. Don't use over-the-counter medications without checking with your doctor first.

Skin protection

Since fecal leakage leads to anal peel irritation, wet–bulwark creams — such as those used for a baby's diaper rash — are used to protect the pare. These products can exist used indefinitely. As needed, adult diapers are another consideration. Finally, loose wearable and cotton fiber underwear tin can aid provide comfort. Don't apply over-the-counter incontinence medications without checking with your md start.

What surgical options treat fecal incontinence?

Sphincteroplasty, or overlapping sphincter repair, sews damaged anal sphincter muscles dorsum together (run into below left). The anal sphincter muscle is overlapped and stitches are used to secure the muscle on both sides. Overlapping and tightening the sphincter muscle results in a tighter anal opening.

ACE procedure is occasionally appropriate for patients with fecal incontinence. In this procedure, the surgeon creates a modest pathway from the skin on the belly to the bowel. A small tube is inserted through which a daily enema/washout is given to make clean out the stool.

Ace procedure | Cleveland Clinic

Bogus bowel sphincter involves implanting an artificial device (prosthesis) effectually the anus. This device is designed to mimic the normal anal musculus.
Sacral nerve stimulation. Sacral nerve stimulation therapy uses a small device (a neurotransmitter) that is implanted under the skin in the upper buttock surface area. The device sends mild electrical impulses through a lead that is positioned shut to a nervus located in the lower back (the sacral nerve), which influences the float, the sphincter, and the pelvic floor muscles.
Colostomy . In this operation, an opening is made in the abdomen, through which the colon is brought to the surface of the skin. Stool is collected in a special pouch attached to the abdomen around the opening. This process is usually considered when all other handling options have failed.

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Source: https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14574-fecal-bowel-incontinence