What department should I go to for fecal incontinence?

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 18, 2024
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If there is fecal incontinence, it is first necessary to determine the cause. If the incontinence is due to general neurological symptoms and neuropathy, then it is necessary to register for a neurology department consultation. If it is due to relaxation of the local anal sphincter, then registration with the proctology department is needed. Generally, for local sphincter relaxation causing fecal incontinence, an anal sphincter tightening procedure can be opted for, to provide local symptom relief. Additionally, it is important to also consider coordinating with traditional Chinese medicine enemas, which can enhance the mucosa within the rectum.

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Written by Wang Jian
Urology
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What department should I go to for urinary incontinence?

Urinary incontinence refers to the involuntary leakage of urine from the bladder, uncontrollable. There are many causes of urinary incontinence, categorized into stress incontinence, overflow incontinence, urge incontinence, and functional incontinence. If urinary incontinence occurs, it is advisable to visit a urologist and undergo some related examinations. The most common type among female patients is stress incontinence. For instance, urine might involuntarily leak during coughing, sneezing, or lifting heavy objects. This is associated with weak pelvic floor muscles, impaired function of the bladder sphincter or urethral sphincter, lack of coordination among these muscles, and a deficiency of estrogen. Urge incontinence is mainly seen in urinary tract infections, whereas overflow incontinence can be seen in conditions like prostate enlargement, urethral stricture, or neurogenic bladder.

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Written by Chen Feng
Urology
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How much water should a patient with urinary incontinence drink each day?

Patients with urinary incontinence generally need a daily water intake of about 1000 to 2000 milliliters. Although those suffering from urinary incontinence may involuntarily excrete urine from the urethra, their water intake needs to be the same as that of normal individuals. Drinking more water is beneficial for the body, as it increases urine production, which can dilute the concentration of stone-forming substances in the urine, thus reducing the likelihood of developing urinary stones. Increased urine production due to higher water intake can promptly flush the urinary tract, especially washing away bacteria on the urethra, thereby reducing the chances of urinary tract infections. Furthermore, drinking more water increases urine production and promptly excretes metabolic waste products produced in the body through the urine, thus preventing the accumulation of metabolic products.

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Written by Guan Hai Fang
Urology
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How to treat urinary incontinence?

How to treat urinary incontinence: The most common cause of urinary incontinence is pelvic diaphragm dysfunction. The bladder is located above the pelvic diaphragm. In elderly people, especially elderly women, the pelvic diaphragm and tissues around the urethra are relaxed and weak. Increased abdominal pressure, such as from coughing or changes in body position, can lead to incontinence and stress urinary incontinence. Urinary incontinence is also seen in obstructions of the urethral opening and bladder outlet. Such diseases are more common in elderly women with vaginal inflammation, whereas in men, the main cause is benign prostatic hyperplasia. The third category involves bladder disorders itself, such as bladder tumors, bladder stones, and inflammations, all of which can cause urinary incontinence. Additionally, neurological disorders that control urination are also a significant cause of urinary incontinence in the elderly. Once the diagnosis of urinary incontinence is clear, symptomatic treatment should be adopted and most cases can be controlled. For inflammations, anti-inflammatory treatments can be used. For abnormalities in the bladder or urethra identified through cystourethrography, surgical treatment can be considered.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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What should be noted for fecal incontinence?

Patients with fecal incontinence should first pay attention to the cleanliness and hygiene of the anal area. Due to fecal incontinence, there will be fecal residue around the anus, so it is important to clean up promptly when there is fecal residue. Since feces contain certain irritating substances, these can irritate the skin around the anus, causing pain, eczema, or even provoking bedsores. Therefore, patients with fecal incontinence must frequently change positions, clean regularly, and further carry out local treatment. The most common cause of fecal incontinence is relaxation of the anal sphincter. If it is confirmed that it is due to the aforementioned reason, an anal constriction surgery can be chosen to tighten the local sphincter, thereby preventing the feces from being expelled abnormally from the anus. It could also be due to the patient being elderly and frail, with a nervous system disorder, and the primary disease needs to be actively treated.

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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How is fecal incontinence treated with Chinese medicine?

How is bowel incontinence treated with Chinese medicine? Bowel incontinence, also known as anal incontinence, refers to the inability to voluntarily control bowel movements or gas due to various reasons, leading to autonomous control issues at the anus. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), treatment is divided into herbal medicine therapies and non-medicinal treatments. Herbal medicine treatment can be classified into several types, primarily the Qi Deficiency and Sinking type and the Spleen and Kidney Deficiency type. Each type utilizes different herbs. The Qi Deficiency and Sinking type, characterized by inability to control bowel movement and gas, anal prolapse, fatigue, poor appetite, a thin white tongue coating, and a fine pulse, is typically treated with Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang. The Spleen and Kidney Deficiency type, which includes symptoms such as difficulty in controlling bowel and gas, sensation of dullness, dizziness, tinnitus, sore waist and knees, a thin white tongue coating, and a weak and fine pulse, is mainly treated with Jin Gui Shen Qi Wan, with an added dose of Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang, indicating a somewhat more severe condition compared to the Qi Deficiency and Sinking type. Medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.