What should be noted for fecal incontinence?

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 25, 2024
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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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What should I do if spina bifida causes fecal incontinence?

Patients with spina bifida who experience fecal incontinence are in a relatively severe condition. In such cases, it is best to actively pursue surgical treatment to prevent further progression of the condition. This includes suturing the dura mater of the corresponding spinal defect, repositioning the spinal cord, and appropriately repairing the bone structure, all of which are very important. Additionally, it may be possible to partially restore bowel function, but complete recovery is not guaranteed. If there is no significant improvement later on, a colostomy might be considered. This involves creating an opening in the abdominal wall, forming a stoma, and using an artificial method for bowel movement. This can help reduce contamination and restore some bowel function.

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What are the clinical manifestations of urinary incontinence?

The clinical manifestation of urinary incontinence is primarily the involuntary leakage of urine, where the patient lacks the ability to control urination. Diagnosis mainly involves reviewing the patient's medical history and a physical examination, which in most cases is sufficient to understand the type and cause of the incontinence. A urodynamic test is crucial for a definitive diagnosis. The contents of the urodynamic examination include the assessment of bladder and urethral function. If a patient exhibits the aforementioned symptoms, they should visit the urology department of a hospital for formal evaluation and treatment.

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Is minimally invasive sling surgery for urinary incontinence permanent?

Minimally invasive sling surgery is generally suitable for patients with stress urinary incontinence. This surgery is usually not permanent, and its specific name is tension-free urethral suspension. It is used to increase the closure pressure of the urethra. Therefore, when the intra-abdominal pressure increases, the increased urethral closure pressure can prevent urine leakage. This surgery is one of the more common surgeries in clinical practice, but over time, various complications related to the surgery tend to increase. Common surgical complications include difficulty urinating, bladder perforation, and corrosion of the vaginal or urethral sling. Over time, the probability of corrosion gradually increases.

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Is urinary incontinence related to anything?

There are many causes of urinary incontinence. For example, the most common type, stress urinary incontinence, is related to the relaxation of the pelvic floor muscles and the bladder's detrusor muscle. Conditions like pelvic organ prolapse, as well as factors like being a mature mother or excessive obesity, can lead to stress urinary incontinence. Urgency urinary incontinence is often caused by severe bladder inflammation or associated with certain chronic diseases, such as diabetes or bladder neck sclerosis. Overflow incontinence, most commonly seen in elderly males, typically results from prostate enlargement that blocks the urethra, leading to urinary retention and consequently overflow incontinence. Therefore, to understand the specific causes of urinary incontinence, it is crucial first to differentiate the types of incontinence and combine this with the patient’s specific situation and related examinations for a clear diagnosis.

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Should I wear diapers for urinary incontinence?

Whether patients with urinary incontinence need to use diapers should be determined based on the severity of the incontinence. If it is only mild incontinence that does not affect normal work and life, it is not necessary to wear diapers. Regular urination schedules, along with exercises like pelvic lift and pelvic floor muscle training, can alleviate the condition. However, if the incontinence is more pronounced, it is best to initially use diapers to prevent excessive urine leakage. If necessary, a urinary catheter can be used temporarily to drain the urine and prevent leakage. At the same time, it is important to actively undergo relevant examinations to determine the cause of the incontinence and carry out targeted treatment.