Unable To Control Bowels And Bladder

Treatment Of Lack Of Bowel Control In Dogs

When treating fecal incontinence, it is essential to address all of the complications and causes that may accompany it. For example, a dog who has incontinence in the form of diarrhea may have blistering around the anus, which if left untreated, can lead to a secondary infection. Another instance of a complication may be a stress induced illness. Though you may not be able to ascertain the amount of stress the fecal incontinence is causing for your pet, there is no doubt that the situation is causing him discomfort.

If the lack of bowel control is being caused by a simple infection, antibiotics may quickly resolve the problem. A parasitic infection, such as giardia or intestinal worms can be eradicated with the appropriate medication. There are drugs that can strengthen the sphincter muscles if necessary.

Surgical reconstruction of the anal and sphincter area may be required in some dogs. The veterinarian will be the absolute best person to decide on the appropriate treatment protocol. Some may recommend therapies such as chiropractic care, physiotherapy or acupuncture, for example, if the incontinence is resulting from lower back pain or weakness.

In the case of a senior dog, the incontinence may be less treatable, in which case diapers or frequent trips outside may be of help.

What Are The Symptoms Of Bladder Control Problems

Signs and symptoms of urinary incontinence can include

• leaking urine during everyday activities, such as lifting, bending, coughing, or exercising
• being unable to hold in urine after feeling a sudden, strong urge to urinate
• leaking urine without any warning or urge
• being unable to reach a toilet in time
• wetting your bed during sleep
• leaking during sexual activity

Bladder Incontinence In Women

Bladder incontinence is more common in women than in men. Other than the possible causes listed above, some things that may increase risk of bladder incontinence in women are:

• Changes to urinary or vaginal tissue from hormone therapy, surgery, chemotherapy, or targeted therapy
• Hormonal changes from menopause
• Pelvic prolapse – the bladder, uterus, and or rectum may slip backward or downward into the vaginal canal because of weak pelvic wall muscles
• Pregnancy
• Hysterectomy

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Bowel And Bladder Complications From A Herniated Lumbar Disc

The spine is composed of small bones called vertebrae that surround the spinal cord. Between each vertebra is a cushion called a disc. With time or trauma, the jelly-like center of the disc may shift and leak out through a crack in the tougher, outer covering. This is called a disc herniation or “slipped disc.” The lower, or lumbar, regions of the spine are a common area for disc herniation. Although pain is the most common symptom of lumbar disc herniation, complications involving the bladder and the bowel may occur in rare cases.

Types Of Bowel Control Problems

Bowel problems have many causes and may result in:

• diarrhoea frequently passing loose bowel motions. Causes include infection or bowel conditions such as Crohns disease and ulcerative colitis.
• constipation passing hard, dry bowel motions . Causes include not drinking enough fluid, eating a diet low in fibre and lack of exercise.
• faecal incontinence an uncontrolled loss of a bowel motion. Causes include diarrhoea and constipation. It can also result from a problem in the lower bowel or anus, making it difficult to hold onto a bowel motion. Causes include childbirth and nerve problems such as diabetes.

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Recovery Of Lack Of Bowel Control In Dogs

Working closely with the veterinarian will be a big part of taking care of a dog who has lack of bowel control. Pay special care to the instructions given to you by the veterinary professional your cooperation will be instrumental in relieving your dog of this problem. Follow instructions completely when dealing with medication. If the veterinarian suggests diet changes, be sure to heed the advice. Your veterinarian may prescribe a hypoallergenic diet or an intestinal diet .

Psyllium supplements may help to slow down diarrhea, but can also aid in facilitating stool elimination. You will have to consult with the veterinarian in order to find the right diet balance that works with your pets digestive system.

At home, patience is key. We never want our pet to associate accidents of bowel control with anger. Frequent walks allow for plenty of opportunities for your pet to pass a bowel movement. Exercise can assist the digestive system with elimination, and chances are if your pet has emptied his colon after a long walk or run, you may have helped him to avoid an accident later. A long walk before bed may benefit the situation also.

A lack of bowel control can be expensive to treat. To avoid high vet care expenses, secure pet health insurance today. The sooner you insure your pet, the more protection youll have from unexpected vet costs.

*Wag! may collect a share of sales or other compensation from the links on this page. Items are sold by the retailer, not Wag!.

What Causes Bowel Incontinence

Causes of bowel incontinence can be divided into two broad categories: reservoir incontinence and sphincter incontinence.

Reservoir incontinence refers to any disease of the rectum that prevents stool from being held or stored in a normal manner. This can occur in cases of diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, cancer, or any other disease that affects the intestines. In a dog with reservoir incontinence, the rectum cannot store a normal volume of stool, which results in the pet being unable to control the urge to defecate.

Sphincter incontinence refers to the inability of the anal sphincter to remain in a closed position. When the anal sphincter does not close properly, feces can leak out. There are two possible causes of sphincter incontinence. Any lesion that disrupts the anal sphincter, such as an anal wound or mass, can interfere with its function. Additionally, damage to the nerves that control the anal sphincter can interfere with its ability to function normally.

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How Bowel Incontinence Is Treated

In many cases, with the right treatment, a person can maintain normal bowel function throughout their life.

Treatment will often depend on the cause and how severe it is, but possible options include:

• lifestyle and dietary changes to relieve constipation or diarrhoea
• exercise programmes to strengthen the muscles that control the bowel
• medication to control diarrhoea and constipation
• surgery, of which there are a number of different options

Incontinence products, such as anal plugs and disposable pads, can be used until your symptoms are better controlled.

Even if it isn’t possible to cure your bowel incontinence, symptoms should improve significantly.

Read more about treating bowel incontinence.

Why Does Fecal Incontinence Happen

Several factors affect continence of stool or the ability to control bowel movement:

• Muscles in the rectum and anus must be working properly.
• The rectum must be able to stretch to hold the stool. A “rectal sensation” has to be present to provide warning of the need to move bowels. When properly working, this means that you get a feeling that it is time to go to the bathroom.
• The anal muscles must have the ability to squeeze the anus shut. If these muscles are not working properly, stool can leave the body unexpectedly.
• You lack the physical and mental abilities to “recognize the signal” that it is time to go to the bathroom to move bowels, or the physical quickness to reach the bathroom.
• Stools are very watery or explosive or both.

If any of these body functions are not working properly, you may have fecal incontinence.

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Internal Vaginal / Intravaginal Devices

These are placed inside the vagina to support the bladder neck thereby reducing/preventing stress incontinence. Some devices are also believed to compress the urethra which also helps to reduce stress incontinence.

Positives: Devices are purpose-made, from a range of materials including polyurethane foam and silicone and are usually only available in one size. They can be either disposable or reusable.

Negatives: Some patients report discomfort and pain, vaginal soreness or irritation, bleeding and urinary tract infection with some types of devices. Some women find fitting the devices problematic, especially those with altered vaginal anatomy secondary to childbirth or surgery. Women still have to wear a pad as they may find that their incontinence improves but continue to suffer from some urinary leakage.

What Is Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements, causing a child to repeatedly pass stool in inappropriate places. It is often related to constipation, though some children have fecal incontinence after surgery to correct an anorectal malformation or other condition in the rectal area.

Fecal incontinence that does not resolve with the usual therapeutic measures is called intractable fecal incontinence.

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Is Snm Therapy Effective At Treating Urinary And Bowel Incontinence

GI Associates & Endoscopy Center proudly offers sacral neuromodulation as an effective, safe, and long-lasting approach to treating bladder or fecal incontinence in Jackson, MS individuals. SNM is clinically proven to treat urinary incontinence, urinary retention, OAB, and fecal incontinence. Studies performed show that sacral neuromodulation therapy produces a high rate of patient satisfaction and treatment success for both urinary and bowel incontinence concerns, and also has a very high safety profile. It has proven successful in adults for whom a conservative approach to therapy was ineffective, can allow for significant quality of life enhancements, and is linked to considerably lower rates of incontinence events.

Causes Of Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence is usually caused by a physical problem with the parts of the body that control the bowel.

The most common problems are:

• problems with the rectum the rectum is unable to retain poo properly until it’s time to go to the toilet
• problems with the sphincter muscles the muscles at the bottom of the rectum don’t work properly
• nerve damage the nerve signals sent from the rectum don’t reach the brain

These problems are explained in more detail below.

It’s important to discuss any bowel problems with your GP as there’s a small chance they could be a sign of a more serious condition, such as bowel cancer.

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Sciatica Symptoms That Require Immediate Medical Attention

While your sciatica pain can be severe and cause your leg to feel weak, the symptoms typically do not produce any long-term complications.1 Rarely, if the underlying cause of your sciatica becomes severe, it may produce troubling symptoms when your spinal nerve roots and/or spinal cord get compressed, sometimes triggering a medical emergency.

The symptoms of sciatica radiate from the lower back to the buttock, thigh, and leg. Common symptoms include pain, numbness, tingling, and/or weakness. Watch:Sciatica Causes and Symptoms Video

Below are the descriptions of two serious sciatica symptoms that must be urgently evaluated and treated:

What Are Medical Treatment Options For Treating Fecal Incontinence

Dietary tips

The goal of dietary changes is that you avoid foods or drinks that may cause loose stools, including:

• Caffeine, alcohol, some fruit juices and prunes.
• Beans and cabbage family vegetables.
• Spicy foods and cured or smoked meats.
• Dairy products.

Other foods thicken the stool, which may help fecal control. These foods include:

• Bananas.
• Cheese.

Bowel training

There are two types of bowel training. The goal of the first type is to develop a “going-to-the-bathroom” pattern. By setting up a routine, you can gain greater control over your bowel movements. Taking a daily enema at consistent times will help control stool removal and decrease episodes of fecal incontinence. Dont use an enema without checking with your doctor first.

The goal of the second type of bowel training is to learn certain exercises that can strengthen the muscles around the anus. A trained therapist will teach you how to locate the correct muscles and perform the exercises. This process is called biofeedback.

Medications

Medications that are usually prescribed include anti-diarrheal drugs and fiber supplements. These medications decrease movement of the stool through the intestine and firm up the stool. Dont use over-the-counter medications without checking with your doctor first.

Skin protection

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Types Of Bladder Control Problems

Urinary incontinence and continence problems may include:

• stress incontinence leakage of small amounts of urine with exertion. Causes include childbirth, being overweight and prostate surgery
• urge incontinence leakage following a sudden urge to urinate. Causes include stroke, enlarged prostate gland and Parkinsons disease, but often the cause is unknown
• overflow incontinence leakage because the bladder does not empty well and overfills. Causes include multiple sclerosis, an enlarged prostate gland and diabetes
• functional incontinence leakage of urine because a person was unable to get to or use the toilet due to a physical disability, a barrier in their environment or because of an intellectual or memory problem. Causes include dementia and poor mobility.

Why Does It Happen

After digesting food, the digestive system moves waste, or feces toward the rectum, the tube that links the intestines to the anus. The rectum stores the waste until the body is ready to expel it.

As the rectum fills up, the rectal walls expand. Stretch receptors, or nerves, in the rectal walls stimulate the desire to defecate. If the person does not defecate on feeling this urge, the stools may return to the colon, where more water is absorbed.

When the rectum is full, the increased pressure forces the walls of the anal canal apart, and peristaltic waves push the feces into the canal.

As stools enter the anal canal, the rectum shortens. Internal and external sphincters allow the stools to be passed by causing muscles to pull the anus up over the exiting feces.

The internal sphincter works automatically and unconsciously, while the external sphincter responds when we want it to.

Bowel incontinence can happen for a number of reasons:

The sphincter muscles do not work as they should. Childbirth can cause the sphincter muscles to become stretched and torn, especially if forceps or other devices are used during delivery, or if the mother had an episiotomy. A complication of bowel or rectal surgery and some other types of injury can also cause damage to the sphincter muscles.

Other causes include:

Drinks containing caffeine or artificial sweeteners may act as laxatives.

This can identify:

• muscle problems
• a rectal prolapse

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Incontinence And Continence Problems Are Common

Incontinence and continence problems affect people of all ages, gender, cultures and backgrounds. Despite popular beliefs, older people are not the only ones affected.Some incontinence facts include:

• One in three women who have had a baby experience loss of bladder control.
• One in five children wet the bed at some time.
• One in 100 adults never achieve bladder control at night.
• One in 20 adults experience bladder and bowel control problems.

Bladder and bowel control problems are not an inevitable part of ageing. Visit your doctor to discuss treatment and management options.

Symptoms Of Bowel Incontinence

Bowel incontinence may be a short-term problem or one that happens on a regular basis. You could suddenly feel the urge to use the bathroom or you might not be aware that you need to go . Bowel incontinence may also happen with other bowel problems such as:

• Loose, watery stool
• Trouble passing stool or irregular bowel movements
• Bloating and gas

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What Are The Symptoms Of Fecal Incontinence

The symptoms of fecal incontinence depend on what type of the condition a child has.

An urge to have a bowel movement that comes on so quickly a child can’t make it to the toilet in time is “urge fecal incontinence.” A child who frequently soils their underwear with stool without realizing it has “passive fecal incontinence.”

Why Bowel Incontinence Happens

Bowel incontinence is a symptom of an underlying problem or medical condition.

Many cases are caused by diarrhoea, constipation, or weakening of the muscle that controls the opening of the anus.

It can also be caused by long-term conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and dementia.

Read more about the causes of bowel incontinence.

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What To Expect At Your Office Visit

Your provider will take your medical history. Be sure to tell your provider about all the prescription and over-the-counter medicines you take. Taking antacids or laxatives can cause bowel incontinence, particularly in older people.

Your provider will also perform a physical exam, focusing on your stomach area and rectum. Your provider will insert a lubricated finger into your rectum to check sphincter tone and anal reflexes, and to look for any problems.

Diagnostic tests may include:

• Test of anal sphincter tone
• X-ray procedure using a special dye to evaluate how well the sphincter contracts
• X-ray procedure using a special dye to see the bowel while you have a bowel movement

What Causes These Issues

Bladder-related issues may be caused by a variety of different factors including underlying conditions such as infections , cystitis , bladder cancer, or endometriosis. In addition, bladder-related issues may be caused by the natural aging process, pregnancy, or childbirth, as well as a result of another treatment regimen such as radiation or surgery on or around the bladder.1,2

Bowel-related symptoms have some similar causes, including being the result of another treatment procedure or due to the natural aging process. Several conditions may also contribute to the development of bowel-related problems, including irritable bowel syndrome , inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, endometriosis, and diverticulitis.3,5

It’s also possible that bladder or bowel issues may not be a direct result of endometriosis lesions affecting those organs, but rather, the overlapping of endometriosis with another bowel or bladder-affecting condition such as IBS. Some bladder and bowel-related conditions share similar risk factors with endometriosis, including genetics, family history, inflammation-related issues, and potential immune-system defects. These shared risk factors may contribute to an increase in risk of developing both conditions separately from one another.

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