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Incontinence of Faeces
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Much less common than incontinence of urine; causes include infections such as Gastroenteritis, loss of nervous control after a Stroke or Spinal Cord Injury, Senile Dementia and even Depression. In special cases, if underlying cause is not treatable, surgery to tighten anal sphincter muscles may be advised; a small electrical device can also be implanted in rectum to improve sphincter control.
Occasionally Constipation, or rather lack of fibre in diet, is the cause of incontinence; hard mass of faeces blocks bowel and interferes with normal expulsion mechanism, but liquid matter may seep out; regular bowel action can usually be restored with laxatives or enemas. See homeopathic and natural remedies for Constipation.
Self-help: Eat a high-fibre diet, even if constipation is not an obvious problem. Involuntary bowel movements most often occur an hour or so after meals. |
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