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What Causes Fecal Incontinence?

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Posted on Thu, 27 Nov 2014
Question: When I fart I pass colored mucus and I have been doing this for about 2 months also if I need to go BM I have trouble holding it until I get to the bathroom
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (8 hours later)
Brief Answer:
You will need to see a Gatroenetrologist

Detailed Answer:
Hello, Thanks for coming too HealthCareMagic. From what you've described. I think we can use the term fecal incontinence as a description of what you're going through.

There are many potential causes of fecal incontinence, including:

Diarrhea (possibly due to an infection or IBS)
Impacted stool (due to severe constipation, often seen in people of your age group)
Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)
Nerve damage (due to diabetes or spinal cord injury)

More than one cause for fecal incontinence is a strong possibility. Alot of cases of bowel incontinence, occur without a clear cause.

First things first is to figure out the cause, if at all possible. This is a process, no single simple test will be able to figure it out. You will need to see a Gastroenterologist and discuss your entire medical history. During a physical examination, a the GI may check the strength of the anal sphincter muscle using a gloved finger inserted into the rectum.

Some of the tests that may be needed for figuring this out are:

Stool testing
Endoscopy

Anorectal manometry. A pressure monitor is inserted into the anus and rectum. This allows measurement of the strength of the sphincter muscles.

Endosonography. An ultrasound probe is inserted into the anus. This produces images that can help identify problems in the anal and rectal walls.

Nerve tests. These tests measure the responsiveness of the nerves controlling the sphincter muscles. They can detect nerve damage that can cause bowel incontinence.
Let me try and give you an overview of what kind of treatment options you have.

Recommended treatments vary according to the cause of course. Often, more than one treatment method may be required to control symptoms.

Diet changes may be helpful:

Eat 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day. This can make stool more bulky and easier to control.
Avoid caffeine. This may help prevent diarrhea.
Drink several glasses of water each day. This can prevent constipation.

Medications. Try these medicines to reduce the number of bowel movements and the urge to move the bowels:

Imodium
Lomotil
Hyoscyamine
Methylcellulose can help make liquid stool more solid and easier to control. For people with a specific cause of diarrhea, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome, other medications may also help.

Exercises. Begin a program of regularly contracting the muscles used to control urinary flow (Kegel exercises). This builds strength in the pelvic muscles and may help reduce bowel incontinence.

Bowel training. Schedule bowel movements at the same times each day. This can help prevent accidents in between.

Surgery may be recommended for people whose bowel incontinence is not helped by noninvasive treatments. There are many different surgeries that can be done. But i don;t want to get into this unless we know its really necessary.

I strongly suggest you look into instituting the dietary changes mentioned above, after that medication may be needed. But above all, you need to be in touch with a good GI.

I hope this helps. Feel free to follow-up and I will do my best to talk you through all this.

Vinay
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (15 hours later)
The mucus which comes out when I pass gas is that normal? It's about a teaspoon or tablespoon. I eat popcorn is that hard on the colon. I will change my diet and see the doctor. Thank You for your advise.
XXXXXXX XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Popcorn is low on fiber, the mucus is OK

Detailed Answer:
Hey XXXXXXX thanks for following up. The mucus is another sign of the fecal incontinence. Like I said, we need to get to the bottom of this.

Now. Eating Popcorn is OK. But eating tons of it and nothing else can get dicey, Pop corn is very low in fiber and can make your symptoms worse. Try and get some fiber in your diet!

Vin
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Neurologist, Surgical

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 544 Questions

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What Causes Fecal Incontinence?

Brief Answer: You will need to see a Gatroenetrologist Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for coming too HealthCareMagic. From what you've described. I think we can use the term fecal incontinence as a description of what you're going through. There are many potential causes of fecal incontinence, including: Diarrhea (possibly due to an infection or IBS) Impacted stool (due to severe constipation, often seen in people of your age group) Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) Nerve damage (due to diabetes or spinal cord injury) More than one cause for fecal incontinence is a strong possibility. Alot of cases of bowel incontinence, occur without a clear cause. First things first is to figure out the cause, if at all possible. This is a process, no single simple test will be able to figure it out. You will need to see a Gastroenterologist and discuss your entire medical history. During a physical examination, a the GI may check the strength of the anal sphincter muscle using a gloved finger inserted into the rectum. Some of the tests that may be needed for figuring this out are: Stool testing Endoscopy Anorectal manometry. A pressure monitor is inserted into the anus and rectum. This allows measurement of the strength of the sphincter muscles. Endosonography. An ultrasound probe is inserted into the anus. This produces images that can help identify problems in the anal and rectal walls. Nerve tests. These tests measure the responsiveness of the nerves controlling the sphincter muscles. They can detect nerve damage that can cause bowel incontinence. Let me try and give you an overview of what kind of treatment options you have. Recommended treatments vary according to the cause of course. Often, more than one treatment method may be required to control symptoms. Diet changes may be helpful: Eat 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day. This can make stool more bulky and easier to control. Avoid caffeine. This may help prevent diarrhea. Drink several glasses of water each day. This can prevent constipation. Medications. Try these medicines to reduce the number of bowel movements and the urge to move the bowels: Imodium Lomotil Hyoscyamine Methylcellulose can help make liquid stool more solid and easier to control. For people with a specific cause of diarrhea, such as inflammatory bowel syndrome, other medications may also help. Exercises. Begin a program of regularly contracting the muscles used to control urinary flow (Kegel exercises). This builds strength in the pelvic muscles and may help reduce bowel incontinence. Bowel training. Schedule bowel movements at the same times each day. This can help prevent accidents in between. Surgery may be recommended for people whose bowel incontinence is not helped by noninvasive treatments. There are many different surgeries that can be done. But i don;t want to get into this unless we know its really necessary. I strongly suggest you look into instituting the dietary changes mentioned above, after that medication may be needed. But above all, you need to be in touch with a good GI. I hope this helps. Feel free to follow-up and I will do my best to talk you through all this. Vinay