Gas incontinence often accompanies people after 40-50 years of age. What is the reason for this condition, how to deal with it? The problem is not pleasant, but it is possible to eliminate it, you only need to know how. The symptoms, causes and treatment of gas and fecal incontinence will be described below.
Forms and varieties of fecal incontinence and gases
Often fecal incontinence joins the problems of gas incontinence. It is associated with the inability to control the condition of the posterior sphincter.
Deficiency of the posterior sphincter is divided into three degrees:
- The first degree is characterized by a loss of control over the gas evolution of the body. In this case, leakage of feces occurs as a result of attempts.
- The second degree, when with the release of gases, feces in a liquid state are also released. The excretion of liquid feces occurs involuntarily, before which a person does not feel a call for emptying.
- The third degree is the most serious condition, as there is incontinence of gases, as well as feces, both liquid and solid.
In infancy up to 3 years, this condition is considered normal. This adult behavior is a serious problem. It can occur in the elderly, and urinary incontinence is also attached to gas and fecal incontinence.
But there are isolated cases when this happened as a result of severe stress or against the background of an intestinal upset. Severe incontinence can occur with chronic diarrhea or when hemorrhoidal nodes fall out. Partial incontinence occurs with loss of tone of the posterior sphincter on the background of proctologic operations or in old age when trying to hold feces.
What causes gas incontinence and fecal leakage
This condition may be due to congenital diseases or as a result of any disorders.
Thus, we can name the following causes of gas incontinence in both women and men:
- Anatomical defects, such as fistulas in the anus or other malformations.
- Organic factors, it can be birth injuries, injuries of the feces system, organic damage to the spinal cord or brain.
- The reasons for the psychogenic plan are psychosis, neurosis, hysteria, etc.
Incontinence of gases and feces can act as a symptom in various diseases, for example, catatonic syndrome, dementia, manic-depressive syndrome, epilepsy.
Treatment of anal incontinence (fecal and gas incontinence) will be carried out depending on the cause that caused it.
Symptoms of gas retention
Gas incontinence in women and men often develops in the body after 40 years.
Symptoms of this condition may be as follows:
- It is difficult to control the accumulated gases with difficulty.
- Pain or itching in the anus.
- Fecal incontinence.
- Loud and frequent rumbling in the stomach.
- The appearance of dizziness and weakness.
- Fast fatiguability.
- Concerned diarrhea or constipation.
- The stomach is swollen.
- A person becomes irritable, sometimes aggressive.
- Lethargy and drowsiness.
Incontinence Diagnosis
The doctor initially listens to the patient's complaints. A preliminary diagnosis is made, after which the person goes for an additional study in order to identify the cause of gas incontinence and choose the only right treatment.
Diagnostic methods for fecal and gas incontinence:
- The manometry of the posterior sphincter evaluates its tone. In this case, the pressure in the rear opening is measured at rest and under stress.
- Endorectal ultrasonography reveals defects in the anus, thickness of the internal and external parts of the sphincter.
- The volumetric threshold sensitivity of the rectum is determined. If it does not correspond to the norm, then the person’s bowel movement is violated.
Treatment methods
Treatment for gas incontinence will depend on the cause of the problem. If it is harmless, then getting rid of the disease will not be difficult, but with serious pathologies it will take weeks, months, and sometimes years of therapy.
The degree of the disease also plays a large role, of course, at the initial stage it is easier to cope with the disease than to fight the advanced stage. Therefore, therapy should be started as early as possible.
The basis of all medical procedures are three ways to get rid of the problem:
- surgical intervention;
- medication method;
- non-drug therapy.
Surgery
This treatment is carried out for injuries or defects of the sphincter. This operation is called plastic. Everything will depend on the degree of damage to the sphincter. Such operations are divided into the following types:
- sphincteroplasty;
- sphincterogluteoplasty;
- Tirsch surgery (currently rarely performed);
- operation Ferman.
If damage to muscle fibers is not observed, then surgery is not performed.
Drug therapy
Such treatment will be effective in functional disorders of the excretion and digestion systems. Most often, doctors prescribe two groups of drugs:
- The first are aimed at restoring the digestive system and excretion.
- The second group of medicines is able to affect the muscle tone of the anus.
In extreme cases, doctors prescribe tranquilizers if the patient is highly excitable.
Non-drug therapy
Anal incontinence is also treated with non-drug methods. There are many of them, and many are very effective. An exception may be the psychological disorders of the patient, in this case, even advanced techniques do not always bring a positive result.
It is worth considering the most popular non-drug methods of eliminating gas and fecal incontinence:
- Physical exercises according to the method of Kegel and Dukhanov, aimed at strengthening the muscles of the sphincter. At the same time, a special tube is introduced into the anus, pre-lubricated with petroleum jelly, after which the patient strains and relaxes the muscles of the anus. This gymnastics is carried out up to 5 times a day from 1 to 10-15 minutes. The course of therapy will depend on many indicators and lasts an average of 3 to 8 weeks. In conjunction with these exercises, gymnastics is carried out aimed at strengthening the muscles of the buttocks and peritoneum.
- Biofeedback technique will be effective in the initial stages of the disease, its essence is also in strengthening the muscles of the anus. In this case, an elastic balloon is introduced into the rear opening. It is necessary, by tensioning the muscles of the anus, to compress and unclench. With this method, the doctor has the opportunity to see the entire exercise process on a computer monitor and adjust it.
- Electrical stimulation. An electric current acts on the nerve endings of the posterior sphincter. This contributes to the emergence of skills to control the process of defecation.
- Psychotherapy. The task of a psychotherapist is to develop a reflex in a sick person to commit an act of defecation at a certain time and in a certain place. The method is not always effective. Since mental disorders are treated a priori with difficulty.
The treatment for gas incontinence is the same for women and men.
Special diet
Often, increased gas formation is directly related to intestinal disorders. And all the fault of the error in nutrition. Therefore, at the time of treatment, you should adhere to a special diet, which consists in restricting the intake of certain foods and the inclusion of healthy food in the diet.
Prohibited Products:
- salted and smoked dishes;
- a lot of seasoning;
- chips, shop crackers;
- fried and fatty foods;
- butter baking, etc.
Eat more such foods:
- broths on vegetable broth;
- vegetables and fruits;
- lean meats;
- dairy products;
- fortified plant teas and decoctions.
After the treatment is over, it is necessary to maintain the basic principles of nutrition and not return to the old junk food. Hygiene plays an important role during this period, if fecal leakage is observed during gas incontinence, diapers should be worn, which regularly change.
Sometimes a person is embarrassed to go to the doctor with the problem of gas formation, when it is impossible to restrain gases and excrement, thereby further aggravating the situation. This problem brings a lot of inconvenience both physically and psychologically. You need to overpower yourself and set up the fact that this is a doctor whose task is to help you. It is worthwhile to fully cover the problem, to tell you when and for what reason it all started, in many respects it will determine success in treatment. It is important to lead a healthy lifestyle. It is advisable to engage in gentle sports, without physical overload. You can just do daily jogs or walk.