Fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence

Fecal incontinence is an inconvenience that can lead to embarrassing situations, as well as serious medical issues. This becomes compounded for those that are bedridden and may not be able to use the toilet. Besides the embarrassment, most people may not consider fecal incontinence to be a potentially dangerous situation (especially when diarrhea is involved).

What constitutes Fecal Incontinence?

As with urinary incontinence, fecal incontinence means the sufferer does not have the ability to control their bowels, which leads to the inability to voluntarily move their bowels on a regular basis. Compounding this problem can be the introduction of diarrhea. It is defined as the passing of three or more loose stools per day. Basically, it’s when a person needs to go to the bathroom more than normal and the stool is looser than normal Often this can last for 2-3 days without any special treatment, but it can last longer and may be a sign of something more serious. Symptoms of diarrhea that can lead to fecal incontinence include stomach pain, the urge to use the bathroom frequently, bloating, and a feeling of being sick. The most common danger associated with fecal incontinence and diarrhea is skin irritation and dehydration. It is this loss of fluid in the body that can interrupt our body’s ability to operate normally and skin irritation can lead to infection. This can be especially dangerous for the elderly that are potentially bedridden.

Potential Causes of Diarrhea and Fecal Incontinence

We have all heard and probably joked about diarrhea and fecal incontinence, but do we actually understand what might cause these problems. Many times the cause of run of the mill diarrhea may never be found, but there are some common causes that can lead to fecal incontinence and www.healthimaging.org gives some examples and they include:

  • Bacterial or viral infections

  • Food issues

  • Medicine

  • Intestinal diseases

  • Bowel disorders

  • Travel associated diarrhea

Understanding the causes can help potentially avoid a case of diarrhea that can lead to bedridden folks suffering episodes of potential hazardous fecal incontinence.

Bed Care for Fecal Incontinence

While loose or frequent stools can bring about fecal incontinence, what is the best way to handle the problem to avoid medical issues down the road? Our skin is the largest organ of our bodies and it can also cause some of the biggest problems. Bed care or eldercare hygiene programs can be progressive and head off simple problems that can escalate into major ones and can include:

1. These products are designed to manage heavy urinary or fecal incontinence. Tranquility will help you feel confident that you or your loved ones are protected during the day or night. The high-rise, full-fit protection, and ultra-plush design results in a product that fits comfortably in all the right areas.

Watch video on Tranquility brand.