Incontinence of the bowel is described as being unable to hold onto wind, solid or liquid stool. Bowel leakage affects up to 53 million people across Europe.
Bowel incontinence can affect people in different ways. These can include:
- Having to rush to get to the toilet to open your bowels
- Leakage of your bowels on the way to the toilet
- Soiling yourself without realising you needed the toilet
- Leaking poo when you pass wind
- Marking your underwear after opening your bowels
- Being unable to control wind
You may also have other symptoms, such as constipation, difficulty opening your bowels or diarrhoea.
Our clinical specialists have a huge amount of experience assessing and treating these patients with pelvic floor muscle training and conservative measures and work closely with the doctors and nurses to ensure optimal care.
Bowel
So, now we’re on to faecal incontinence. If your pelvic floor muscles are weaker, you can also experience faecal incontinence. This is when you’re incontinent of a solid, liquid, or gas. Essentially, this means solid stools, looser stools, or even wind. It can include streaking or smearing in your underwear, the urgency to open your bowels, or the inability to control wind.
As we’ve mentioned, this can be caused by a weaker pelvic floor. Just a pre-warning for the next slide: it includes a realistic image of stool types.
Healthy Bowel Habits
It’s said that it’s normal to go for a poo anywhere from three times a week to three times a day. This is a wide range, but we aim for a Type 4 stool when opening your bowels to avoid constipation or straining, as these can weaken the pelvic floor muscles.
Stool types range as follows:
Constipation: Types 1 or 2
Normal: Types 3 or 4
Loose stool: Types 5 to 7
How Can We Help with Bowel Issues?
We know that bowels like a routine. It’s important to:
Eat three meals a day.
Maintain a good fluid intake of about 1.5 to 2 litres per day.
Include decaffeinated teas and coffees, as caffeine can dehydrate the stool and make it more solid.
We should aim for a Type 4 stool and remember not to strain. Straining can worsen symptoms, particularly if you have bladder or prolapse issues.
If you’re constipated, there’s more pressure on your bladder or prolapse, which can:
Increase bladder frequency.
Worsen a bulging sensation or heaviness from the prolapse.
Tips for Constipation
If you’re straining or struggling to open your bowels, we recommend the optimal position:
Place an object like a footstool, toilet roll, or books under your feet.
Make sure your knees are higher than your hips.
Slowly lean forward when opening your bowels.
This position helps alleviate strain.
As you can see, all these symptoms—bladder, prolapse, and bowel issues—are interconnected. To maintain healthy bowel habits:
Bowels like a routine, so try to eat within 30 minutes of waking up.
Aim for 5 to 7 portions of fruits and vegetables daily.
Increase your fibre intake.
Stay hydrated with plenty of water.
Avoid caffeine, as it can dehydrate the stool.
By following these tips, you can better manage symptoms and maintain a healthy pelvic floor.