How to recover from fecal incontinence?

Written by Yang Dong
Colorectal Surgery Department
Updated on September 30, 2024
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For fecal incontinence, we must first conduct an effective evaluation and complete relevant examinations. For instance, we need to perform anal canal pressure measurements and examine the anal sphincter muscle imaging. Through these examinations, we can determine the extent of fecal incontinence and then adopt corresponding treatment methods. For fecal incontinence, we can initially choose conservative treatments, such as treatment with biofeedback therapy.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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What medicine to take for fecal incontinence?

There are many causes of fecal incontinence, and it is first necessary to further clarify the cause. Most cases of fecal incontinence are mainly due to excessive relaxation of the local anal sphincter or damage to the patient's nervous system, thus requiring oral medication to treat the nervous system. When there is relaxation of the local anal sphincter, simply taking oral medication does not have significant local therapeutic effects. The most effective method is to directly perform a sphincter tightening surgery. After the local sphincter is tightened surgically, it can control the excretion of feces, thereby further alleviating the situation of fecal incontinence. If the patient also has a neurological disorder, it is necessary to actively treat the underlying disease. (The use of medications should be done under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can fecal incontinence be recovered?

If fecal incontinence occurs, the first step is to identify the main cause of the fecal incontinence. If it is caused by relaxation of the anal sphincter and anal canal, then surgery can be performed to tighten this area, specifically through an anal tightening procedure, which can restore control over fecal incontinence. If the patient has other underlying diseases or is elderly and frail, accompanied by changes in the nervous system, the symptoms of fecal incontinence may be alleviated through medication or physical therapy, but complete recovery is unlikely. This is because the recovery of the nervous system requires the integrated regulation of other bodily organs and functions. If there are multiple underlying diseases or if the patient is elderly and frail, especially in the later stages of coma, recovery is difficult.

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Written by Du Rui Xia
Obstetrics
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Does postpartum urinary incontinence require surgery?

In cases of postpartum urinary incontinence, treatment should be selectively based on the individual condition of the mother. For those with mild postpartum urinary incontinence symptoms, normal recovery can be achieved through effective physical exercise and a period of rest and recuperation. However, in severe cases of urinary incontinence, surgery is also a treatment option. Therefore, the treatment for postpartum urinary incontinence should be determined based on the specific cause and severity of the condition. It is not limited to surgical treatment alone, so it is necessary to conduct an examination first and then choose the method of treatment.

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Written by Zhou Yan
Geriatrics
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What causes urinary incontinence in the elderly?

Urinary incontinence in the elderly varies due to different mechanisms and types, with the two most common categories being genuine urinary incontinence, which is due to neurogenic bladder dysfunction or overactive detrusor muscles, damage to the urethral sphincter, or loss of bladder storage function. These are commonly seen in conditions like chronic stroke, dementia, Parkinson's disease, and psychiatric diseases. The other major category is caused by relaxation of the urethral sphincter or pelvic floor muscles surrounding the urethra, leading to reduced urethral pressure. Incontinence in this category may occur when negative pressure increases, such as during coughing, sneezing, straining during bowel movements, or changing body position. This type of urinary incontinence is more common in elderly women and in elderly men who have had prostate removal, leading to damage to the external urethral sphincter.

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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.