KD Blossom, a hospital in Ahmedabad will conduct a physical examination in addition to questioning you about your health. Typically, this entails examining your anus visually. To check for nerve injury in this location, a probe may be utilized. The anus puckers and the anal sphincter contracts as a result of this touching.
What Are The Medical Tests?
To assist in determining the cause of fecal incontinence, several tests are available:
- Digital Rectal Exam: To assess the sphincter muscles' strength and look for any abnormalities in the rectal region, a healthcare professional places a gloved and lubricated finger into the rectum. Your doctor may ask you to remain still during the examination. To look for rectal prolapse, do this.
- Balloon Expulsion Test: Water is pumped into a tiny balloon that is placed into the rectum. Then you'll be prompted to remove the balloon by using the restroom. You probably have a defecation disorder if it takes you longer than one to three minutes to complete the task.
- Anal Manometry: Anus and rectum are punctured with a thin, flexible catheter. It is possible to expand the tiny balloon at the tube's tip. This test assists in determining the rectum's sensitivity and functionality as well as the tightness of the anal sphincter.
- Anorectal Ultrasonography: Anus and rectum are punctured with a thin, wand-like device. Your provider can examine the structure of your sphincter thanks to the device's video photos.
- Proctography: As you defecate on a specially designed toilet, X-ray video images are produced. The test measures the rectum's capacity to hold excrement. It evaluates the efficiency with which your body gets rid of waste.
- Colonoscopy: To examine the entire colon, a flexible tube is put into the rectum.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): You can see the sphincter clearly on an MRI if the muscles are still intact. Additionally, it can show images while someone is urinating. We refer to this as defecography.
Treatment
Medications
Depending on the cause of the fecal incontinence, the alternatives below differ:
- Medications that prevent diarrhea, such as atropine and diphenoxylate-containing medications (Lomotil) and loperamide (Imodium A-D).
- bulk laxatives, such as methylcellulose (Citrucel) and psyllium (Metamucil), if protracted constipation is the root cause of your incontinence.
Exercise & Other Therapies
Your doctor may advise an exercise regimen and other therapies to improve muscle strength if fecal incontinence is the result of muscle injury. These therapies can improve the anal sphincter's control as well as the awareness of the urge to urinate.
The options can entail:
- Kegel Exercises: These exercises increase the strength of the pelvic floor muscles. These muscles support the intestines, bladder, and uterus in women. It might be possible to lessen incontinence by strengthening these muscles. Contract the muscles used to halt the flow of pee to do Kegel exercises. For three seconds, hold the contraction, then release it. Ten times over, repeat this sequence. As your muscles get stronger, exert more effort during the contraction. Increase the number of contractions each day to three sets of 10 gradually.
- Bowel Training: Your doctor might advise you to try to schedule your bowel movements at a certain time of day, like just after you eat. You can improve your control by determining when you need to use the restroom.
- Bulking Agents: The walls of the anus can be thickened by injections of nonabsorbable bulking agents. This lessens the chance of leaks.
Conclusion
Fecal incontinence is a very modest issue for a considerable number of people, including youngsters. Usually, it's only a small amount of underwear soiling here and there. For some, the illness might be fatal since they have a total loss of control over their bowel movements.
