{"id":5506,"date":"2016-07-21T10:12:37","date_gmt":"2016-07-21T10:12:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/proctoclinic.gr\/therapeia-akrateia-kopranon\/"},"modified":"2025-04-25T10:36:59","modified_gmt":"2025-04-25T10:36:59","slug":"fecal-incontinence-treatment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/proctoclinic.gr\/en\/fecal-incontinence-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Treatment for fecal incontinence"},"content":{"rendered":"

Is there an effective treatment for fecal incontinence?<\/h1>
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Treatment for fecal incontinence<\/strong> depends on the cause and severity of the incontinence. It may include dietary changes, medication, bowel training, or even surgery. Usually, more than one treatment may be necessary to successfully control fecal incontinence, since it is a complex chain of events.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/div>

Dietary changes<\/h2>
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Food affects the quality of stool and how quickly it is passed through the digestive system. One way that can help control fecal incontinence in some people is to eat foods that bulk up the stools, making them less watery and easier to control. By analogy, avoid eating foods that contribute to the problem. These include foods and drinks that contain caffeine, such as coffee, tea and chocolate, which relax the muscles of the internal anal sphincter. Another approach, is to eat foods low in fiber to reduce the work of the anal sphincters. Fruits can act as a natural laxative and should be eaten sparingly. In conclusion, you can adjust what and how you eat to help manage fecal incontinence.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

Keep a food diary<\/h3>
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Note what you eat, how much you eat, and when you have an episode of incontinence. After a few days, you may begin to see the correlation between certain foods and incontinence. After you identify the foods that seem to be causing the problem, reduce your consumption of them to see if the incontinence improves. The foods that commonly cause diarrhea, and should be avoided, are:<\/p>\n

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  • Caffeine<\/li>\n
  • Processed or smoked meat such as sausage, ham or turkey and spicy foods<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

    What foods have fiber?<\/h4>
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    • Alcohol<\/li>\n
    • Dairy products such as milk, cheese and ice cream<\/li>\n
    • Fruits such as apples, peaches or pears<\/li>\n
    • Fatty and greasy foods<\/li>\n
    • Sweeteners, such as sorbitol, xylitol, mannitol, and fructose, found in diet drinks, sugar-free gum and candy, chocolate, and fruit juices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

      Eat smaller meals and more often<\/h3>
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      In some people, large meals cause bowel contractions that lead to diarrhea. You can eat the same amount of food in a day, but in several small meals.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

      Eat and drink at different times<\/h3>
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      Fluids help move food through the digestive system quickly. So, if you want to slow down this propulsion, drink something half an hour before or after meals, but not with meals.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

      Eat more fiber<\/h3>
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      Fiber makes stools soft, and formed, making them easier to control. Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, and grains, as listed below. You should eat 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day. But add them to your diet slowly so that your body can adjust. Eating too much fiber at once can cause bloating, gas, or even diarrhea. Also, too much insoluble, or undigested fiber can contribute to diarrhea. So, if you find that eating more fiber makes diarrhea worse, try to reduce portions of fruits and vegetables and remove the flakes and seeds from your food.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

      Eat foods that increase the volume of stool<\/h3>
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      Foods that contain soluble, or easily digestible fiber slow down bowel movements. Examples are bananas, rice, tapioca, bread, potatoes, apple, cheeses, peanut butter, peanut butter, yogurt, pasta and oatmeal.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

      Drink plenty of water<\/h3>
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      You need to drink eight glasses of fluids a day to help prevent dehydration and keep stools soft and formed. Water is a good choice, but avoid caffeinated beverages, alcohol, milk, or carbonated drinks if you find that they cause diarrhea. Over time, diarrhea can reduce the amount of vitamins and minerals you get. Ask your doctor if you need vitamin supplements.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/section><\/p><\/div>

      Which foods have fiber?<\/p>\n<\/div>

      Examples of foods high in fiber.<\/h3>
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      FOODS<\/th>WITH HIGH FIBRE CONTENT<\/th><\/tr>
      Breads, cereals and beans<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
      1 \/ 2 cup black-eyed peas, boiled <\/td>4 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      1 \/ 2 cup beans, cooked<\/td>5,5 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      Whole grains, cold <\/td><\/td><\/tr>
      1 \/ 2 cup of All-Bran<\/td>10 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      3 \/ 4 cup of Total,<\/td>3 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      3 \/ 4 cup of Bran Flakes Post<\/td>5 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      Whole grain cereal, hot<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
      1 packet (oatmeal, Wheatena)<\/td>3 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      1 slice of whole wheat or multigrain bread<\/td>3 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      Fruits<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
      1 medium apple<\/td>4 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      1 medium peach<\/td>2 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      1 \/ 2 cup strawberries<\/td>4 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      1 medium tangerine<\/td>3 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      Vegetables<\/td><\/td><\/tr>
      1 cup of squash acorns, raw<\/td>2 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      medium stem of broccoli, raw<\/td>4 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      1 cup of cabbage<\/td>2 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      medium carrot, raw<\/td>2 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      1 cup of cauliflower, raw<\/td>2 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      1 cup spinach, cooked<\/td>2 grams<\/td><\/tr>
      1 cup zucchini, raw<\/td> 2 grams<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/div>