Anal incontinence can be complicated by emotional distress and skin irritations
Anal or fecal incontinence is also known as intestinal incontinence. It is the inability to retain and control feces during the day. This produces unexpected leakage of stool (stool), according to mayoclinic.org.
And ultimately, suffer anal incontinence it can be very embarrassing for anyone who suffers from it, for fear of having an accident on the street, unable to control their need to go to the bathroom.
symptom
The first and clearest symptom of anal incontinence is the inability to resist the urgent need to go to the bathroom. Who suffers from fecal incontinence has sudden defecation needs that can make him dirty his pants for not arriving on time to the toilet.
But as it is an intestinal problem, this type of incontinence It is also usually accompanied by diarrhea, gas, bloating and / or constipation.
Causes
- Nerve damage: specifically those that detect feces in the rectum. It can be caused by a spinal cord injury, childbirth, or pressure.
- Muscle damage: during childbirth, when applying forceps or an episiotomy, the muscle rings (or anal sphincter) found at the end of the rectum can suffer damage that affects the retention of stool.
- Chronic constipation: feces become a hard and dry mass too large to release. This causes nerve damage and weakens the muscles of the rectum.
- Hemorrhoids: prevent the anus from closing completely after the veins in this area swell, producing leakage of the stool.
- Diarrhea: being soft stools, these are more difficult to retain in the rectum, causing or worsening anal incontinence.
- Surgeries: Treating hemorrhoids or other complex conditions that are related to the anus and rectum can cause nerve and muscle damage.
This intestinal condition can affect women more because of the complications that occur during childbirth. However, it is a frequent pathology in adults over 65 years and older.
Consult with a specialist if you suffer constipation and diarrhea frequently, and also avoid straining during bowel movements to avoid muscle weakness in the anal sphincter.
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