FECAL INCONTINENCE
PROBLEM
Fecal incontinence is losing mucus or stool while passing gas or completely losing stool before getting to a toilet.
CAUSES
There are many causes of fecal incontinence, including having diarrhea around a hard solid impacted stool from constipation, not being active, problems after delivery of a baby, taking too many laxatives, hemorrhoids, and radiation treatment.
PREVENTION
A.Go to the bathroom as soon as you feel that you need to have a bowel movement (BM).
B.Have a scheduled time to go to the toilet; after eating is a good time.
C.Tips to help deal with uncontrolled BMs:
1.Use the toilet before leaving home.
2.Identify public restrooms before they are needed.
3.Carry a bag of supplies.
4.Change your clothes as soon as possible.
5.Pants with elastic bands are easier to pull down than pants that have buttons.
6.Wear disposable underwear/absorbent pads.
7.Use water without soap. Soap dries and irritates.
8.Use baby wipes instead of toilet paper.
9.Use a moisture-barrier cream such as zinc oxide.
10.Use a special deodorant for your bowels.
TREATMENT PLAN
A.You may be asked to keep a stool diary for 1 week.
B.If you are constipated:
1.You may need to have the hardened impacted stool removed.
2.Drink eight to 10 glasses of water.
Activity: It is important to remain active, such as walking for exercise.
Diet:
A.You may be asked to keep a food diary for 1 week.
B.Eat more fiber in your diet. Fiber helps diarrhea and constipation.
You Have Been Instructed to Take the Following Fiber Supplement: ___________________________________________________________
You Need to Take: ___________________________________________________________
You Have Been Prescribed the Following Medication: ___________________________________________________________
You Need to Take: ___________________________________________________________
You Need to Notify the Office If You Have:
A.Blood in your.bowel movements
B.Fever of 101.0°F or higher.
C.Severe pain in the stomach or rectum.
D.Other: ___________________________________________________________
Phone: ____________________________
Fiber Suggestions:
High-fiber diets are used to help prevent constipation as well as diarrhea. Fiber has been used to help several medical conditions such as diabetes, diverticulosis, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and high cholesterol, as well as weight loss. If you have a chronic health condition, check with your healthcare provider about starting any dietary change.
Fiber provides a full feeling that can help with spacing meals further apart (3–4 hours). Fiber recommendations change with your age.
TIPS FOR INCREASING FIBER IN YOUR DIET
A.Read the Nutrition Facts food labels for fiber content per food serving:
1.Cereals that provide 5 g of fiber per serving give you 20% of your daily fiber.
2.Look for whole grain
on the label. Just because bread is brown does not mean it is whole grain.
B.Increase fiber in your diet gradually to prevent gas. Adding too much fiber too quickly may give you abdominal pain, bloating, and constipation. Increase your fiber over several weeks so that it gives time for you to adjust.
C.As you increase fiber, it is also important to increase the amount of fluids you drink up to six to eight glasses a day, including tea, milk, fruit juices, coffee, and even soft drinks. The extra fluids that you drink along with the extra fiber makes you feel fuller, which can help control snacking.
D.Keep a food diary and review it periodically to decide on other diet adjustments that need to be made.
E.Several fiber supplements are available over the counter to help you get your daily recommendation of fiber.
GOOD FOOD SOURCES OF FIBER
A.Bran: Add one teaspoon of whole-grain bran to food three times a day, or take an over-the-counter fiber supplement such as psyllium (Metamucil), as directed.
B.Whole-grain cereals and breads: Eat oat, bran, multigrain, light, wheat, or rye breads rather than pure white bread or breads that list eggs as a major ingredient. Grains are not only a good source of fiber but also contain vitamins and minerals. Folic acid has been added to breads and cereals to help reduce neural tube defects.
C.Fresh or frozen fruits and vegetables: Citrus fruits are especially good sources of fiber. Eat raw or minimally cooked vegetables, especially squash, cabbage, lettuce, other greens, and beans. Leave the skins on fruits and vegetables; eating the whole fruit is better than drinking the juice. Whole tomatoes offer more fiber than peeling the skin off. The more colorful the fruit and vegetable (dark green, reds, blue, yellow) the better; they are a good source of antioxidants that are good for the heart and the prevention of some cancers. Apples are a good source of both fiber and water.
D.Legumes (pods): Peas and beans are a good source of fiber. Add chickpeas and kidney beans to salads for extra fiber and flavor. Add baked beans as a delicious side item to your meal.
E.Coffee is another source of fiber.
F.Nuts are an excellent source of fiber. They are considered nutrient-dense and are a good source of vitamins and folic acid. Sprinkle sunflower seeds on a salad to add flavor and fiber. The amount of nuts eaten should be limited to 1 to 2 ounces because they are also high in calories.
G.If you have diverticulosis: Avoid foods with seeds or indigestible material that may block the neck of a diverticulum, such as nuts, corn, popcorn, cucumbers, tomatoes, figs, strawberries, and caraway seeds.