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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Will fecal incontinence heal on its own?

The causes of fecal incontinence in the anal region are primarily considered to be due to local organic lesions, or disturbances in nerve control, which can also lead to incontinence. If fecal incontinence is caused by either of these two reasons, it generally will not heal on its own. Severe diarrhea or acute intestinal infections can also cause fecal incontinence due to an increased frequency of bowel movements and acute inflammatory edema of the local intestinal mucosa. This can be alleviated by taking oral anti-inflammatory and anti-diarrheal medications. If the incontinence is caused by excessive relaxation of the anal sphincter, surgical treatment can be considered. If it is due to other neurogenic changes, active treatment of the primary disease is needed.