The Bowel Movement Incontinence or Alvi incontinence is a condition when the body is incapable of controlling defecation. This condition causes sudden stools, without being noticed by the sufferer. Fecal incontinence is influenced by the final intestine (rectum), anus, and nervous system that is not functioning normally. This condition can be experienced by the elderly (over 65 years) and women who undergo normal childbirth.
How common is the Alvi incontinence?
Alvi incontinence is one of the common digestive problems. About 1 in 3 people who have checked into the health care center have experienced this condition.
In addition, these conditions are most commonly found in elderly patients. It is estimated that as many as 7-15 of the 100 older patients who are not hospitalized suffering from this condition. Meanwhile, a total of 18-33 of the 100 older patients undergoing treatment in the hospital experienced incontinence.
This condition is also common in children. Based on a study in Best Practice & Research Clinical Gastroenterology, it is reported that there are about 1-4% of school age children. Meanwhile, the incidence rate in children 4 years old is 2.8%.
The figure shows the difference in children aged 7-8 years, where there are 2.3% of cases in boys and 1.3% in girls. This indicates that the condition is more widely found in boys than girls.
Fortunately, the disease can be solved and controlled by recognizing the existing risk factors. For more information on this disease, you can consult your doctor.
Causes of fecal incontinence
Fecal incontinence can be caused by several things, among which are:
Anus sphincter damage
Anus sphincter damage is a muscular ring located at the end of the anus. This condition can be caused by an episiotomy or vagi**nal surgery procedure performed after a normal childbirth.
Nerve damage that controls the anus sphincter.
This condition can occur due to childbirth, excessive stretching during urination, or spinal cord injury. Medical conditions, such as diabetes and multiple sclerosis, can also damage nerve function and cause fecal incontinence.
Surgical action.
Surgical procedures to treat hemorrhoids or other conditions related to the anus or rectum, at risk of causing nerve damage.
Rectal prolapse
Rectal prolapse, which is the condition when the rectum drops to the anus.
Rectocele
Rectocele, which is the condition when the rectum stands out in the vagi**nal area of the woman.
Limited space on the rectum to accommodate the dirt.
This condition occurs due to scar tissue in the rectum wall, resulting in reduced rectal flexibility.
Chronic constipation.
This condition causes the dirt to harden, making it difficult to move past the rectum and removed from the body. This condition can cause nerve and muscle damage that triggers fecal incontinence.
Read also: Constipation Bowel Movements: Symptoms, Causes, Prevention, and How To Cope With It
Diarrhea.
Diarrhea causes the watery bowel movements, so as to worsen fecal incontinence.
Laxatives.
The use of laxatives in the long term.
Swelling of the veins in hemorrhoids
Venous swelling in hemorrhoids (hemorrhoid) can cause the sphincter cannot close properly so that the stool is liquid and mucus can come out by itself.
Other medical conditions
Other medical conditions, such as stroke, dementia, and Alzheimer’s disease.
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Symptoms of Bowel Movement Incontinence
Symptoms of fecal incontinence are generally different, depending on the type experienced. At Urgent Incontinence characterized by sudden and urgent encouragement to defecate and difficult to control. In addition, there is also Passive Incontinence where the discharge of feces is not realized or without the urge to defecate.
Fecal incontinence can be temporary such as when diarrhea, or can be chronic/recurrent.
The condition of fecal incontinence can be accompanied by other bowel problems such as diarrhea, constipation, and bloating.
Bowel Movement Incontinence Treatment
Fortunately, effective treatment is available for feces incontinence. A general practitioner may be able to help solve the problem. Or you can also see a doctor specializing in treating conditions affecting the colon, rectum and anus, such as digestion, proctologist or colorectal surgeons. Treatment for fecal incontinence can usually help restore bowel control or at least substantially reduce the severity of the condition.
Depending on the cause of incontinence, treatment may include dietary changes, medications, special exercises that help to further control the stomach, or surgery.
Thank you very much for reading Bowel Movement Incontinence: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment, hopefully useful.
