Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence is actually a relatively common condition that is stigmatizing, embarrassing and can have a major effect on lifestyle and an individual's confidence. Fecal incontinence is thought to affect one in 100 people. Because of people’s reluctance to admit to the problem and seek medical help it is difficult to obtain exact figures of just how many people are affected. In the USA alone, over $400,000,000 a year is spent on adult diapers.

Men and women are affected in equal proportion. It is more common in old age, and despite the fact that fecal incontinence equates to poor health, people often do not seek medical help and one study has suggested only one in eight people actually seek medical support.

Causes and treatment of fecal incontinence
Treatment for fecal incontinence is obviously determined by cause. Fecal incontinence is a symptom not a disease.
Where cure of the primary disease is not possible effective management of the problem can dramatically improve people’s lives.
Treatments may have to target a number of causes to find a solution. These can include:

Confusional states, disease and fecal incontinence
For people who suffer from confusional states such as Alzheimer's or other forms of dementia, the caregiver's observations and interventions will be pivotal to a successful treatment plan for fecal incontinence. It has to be remembered that just because someone has Alzheimer's disease does not mean that that is the cause of it. Alzheimer's does not preclude illness and disease.

Deciding whether the inability to control his or her bowels is a communication difficulty or a disease will obviously change the emphasis for a successful treatment strategy.

Observation and fecal incontinence
Observing usual bowel habits. Caregivers can, for example keep a diary that notes the time the fecal incontinence occurs, the place it occurs, the person's mood and dietary intake that day. It is a simple way to analyze the sufferers habits, the caregivers interventions and any patterns of behavior by either party that help or hinder in coping and containing the problem.

Medical Help for fecal incontinence
Medical intervention. You must decide whether you can manage this problem alone and whether you believe you know the cause of the fecal incontinence. There are nurse specialists in this area who can advise you and give you their valuable experience and suggestions for treatment or the most effective coping strategies.

Part two: Treatment Options for Fecal Incontinence.