He is an internationally recognized speaker and author. This can lead to urine retention and overflow incontinence. The incontinence is drastically affecting her life, but might be manageable if we could prevent the diarrhea. Nothing contained on this site is intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. To try to improve your mother’s condition there are two things we can try. This website uses cookies to improve your experience. 2. There are numerous potential causes and many patients have more than one reason to cause loss of bowel control. QUESTION – My elderly mother is suffering from incontinence, mainly due to diarrhea she is experiencing as a side effect of a prescription medication. Fecal incontinence is a common disorder that can have a devastating effect on a person’s quality of life. Your doctor can also recommend ways to manage and treat fecal incontinence yourself. Drugs with anticholinergic effects (examples are antihistamines, tricyclic antidepressants, antipsychotics, benztropine) may relax the muscles of the bladder wall so that the bladder does not contract and completely empty. Everyone responds differently to medications and some people will not experience urinary incontinence side effects from the various medications discussed. Simple treatments—such as diet changes, medicines, bowel training, and exercises to strengthen your pelvic floor muscles —can improve symptoms by about 60 percent. Frequent urination, stress incontinence, lack of concern or desire to use the toilet. Some ways in which medication side effects can cause or worsen incontinence include: Adrenergic agonists or alpha-blockers (medications for high blood pressure and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)) may relax the muscles of the bladder neck, which may cause stress urinary incontinence or urine leakage. Muscle relaxants and sedatives such as diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), lorazepam (Ativan) Cause sedation or drowsiness; relax the urethra. First and foremost is to try to attain a more formed stool. If fecal incontinence is the result of diarrhea, fiber supplements that contain psyllium may help you to have firmer stools, which increase the sensation of rectal fullness. This information is in no way intended to replace the guidance of your doctor. Millions live with bladder control problems. Leaky butt is also known as fecal incontinence. Over time, this can lead to urine retention and overflow incontinence. Privacy policy. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Medications are available to calm an overactive bladder, if overactive bladder is the cause of the incontinence. Inflammatory bowel diseases can cause swelling and irritation that make the rectal wall stiff, again compromising its ability to properly function. Pelvic floor muscle (Kegel) exercises done methodically and regularly may be helpful to improve the strength of the muscles responsible for continence and calm an overactive bladder and thereby improve continence. Medications For diarrhea, antidiarrheal medications such as loperamide (Imodium), codeine, or diphenoxylate/atropine (Lomotil) may be prescribed to … Also called bowel incontinence, fecal incontinence ranges from an occasional leakage of stool while passing gas to a complete loss of bowel control.Common causes of fecal incontinence include diarrhea, constipation, and muscle or nerve damage. It is especially common among the elderly and is a common cause for placement in nursing homes. It may also be referred to as bowel incontinence, anal incontinence, soiling, or lack of bowel control.Continence occurs through complex physiologic mechanisms that involve the anal sphincters as well as intestinal motility (movement) and sensation. So, let your doctor know immediately if you suspect a worsening of incontinence symptoms due to a medication you are taking. How doctors treat fecal incontinence depends on the cause. Roy Dekel, MD, The Gastroenterology Institute, The Tel-Aviv Sourasky Medical Center, Tel-Aviv, Israel, Ami D. Sperber, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Koroka Medical Center, Faculty of the Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel. With your doctor’s help, you may be able to reduce incontinence symptoms by using a different type of medication, or adjusting the dosage or timing. This is a simple test with minimal inconvenience to the patient. Depending on the cause, changing what you eat and drink can help prevent or relieve your fecal incontinence. o MANAGEMENT: kegel exercises, weight loss, insertion of vaginal pessary, estrogen vaginal creams, condom catheters, penile clamp. Aging. Radiation treatment for rectal cancer or other pelvic cancers can cause scarring of the rectum, reducing its ability to keep stool from leaking. A key component in maintaining continence is stool consistency; controlling defecation when stool is liquid is much harder than when it is solid.Your mother probably suffers from a combined problem caused by the natural, age-related, degeneration and weakness of her anal sphincters and pelvic floor [the group of muscles that support the pelvic organs, participate in defecation, and help maintain continence], combined with unformed, liquid stools. When reviewing patient profiles, pharmacists should take into consideration the use of oral estrogens, alpha-blockers, sedative-hypnotics, antidepressants, antipsychotics, ACE inhibitors, loop diuretics, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, and calcium channel blockers that may lead to urinary incontinence. Is there anything else she can do?ANSWER – This may be one of those medical dilemmas that do not have a fully satisfactory solution. Narcotics such as oxycodone (Percocet), meperidine (Demerol), morphine. Dr. Francie Bernier is Assistant Professor of Nursing at Shenandoah University, Leesburg, Virginia, at the Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing. It is especially common among the elderly and is a common cause for placement in nursing homes.Fecal incontinence is the inability to delay defecation in a controlled manner. 17, No. If urinary incontinence affects your daily activities, … Fecal incontinence, also called anal incontinence, is a term used when bowel movements cannot be controlled. The Simon Foundation website content is for informational purposes only and does not replace advice from health care professionals. Depending on the cause, treatment can include one or more of these approaches: dietary changes, bowel training, medications, or … 5 Commonly called "water pills," diuretics work in the kidney to reduce … Medication can be used to help treat soft or loose stools or constipation associated with bowel incontinence. These cookies do not store any personal information. Faecal Incontinence is the inability to control defecation causing unintentional bowel motions Drugs used to treat Fecal Incontinence The following list of medications are in some way related to, or used in the treatment of this condition. Approximately 7% of the general population suffers from some degree of fecal incontinence. Calcium-channel blockers may decrease the ability of the detrusor muscle to contract so that the bladder does not completely empty during urination. What are medical treatment options for treating fecal incontinence? That, by itself, might enable her to regain continence. Medications affect many areas of our body – not just the area or areas they are intended to help. But other medications we take may contribute to incontinence, or worsen incontinence symptoms that you might already have. Medical Reviewers: Jeffrey Albaugh, PhD, APRN, CUCNS and Francie Bernier, PhD, RN, Jeffrey Albaugh, PhD, APRN, CUCNS is a board certified advanced practice urology clinical nurse specialist and researcher who is the Director of Sexual Health at NorthShore University HealthSystem in the Chicagoland area. The bladder may become overfilled, and urine may start to leak out. Webmaster at: webmaster@simonfoundation.org, Copyright ©2021 The Simon Foundation for Continence All Rights Reserved. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website. Examples include spicy, fatty, or greasy foods, cured or … You should eat a healthy, well-balanced diet. You may also not completely empty your bladder, causing urine to back-up and overflow. Stool (feces/waste) leaks out the rectum at unwanted times. Jump to "What you can do"The first step in addressing this issue would be to reassess the absolute need for the medication causing the diarrhea, and to look at possible alternatives. Diuretics and Incontinence. But some have side effects that can make dementia worse. If constipation is causing fecal incontinence, your doctor may recommend drinking plenty of fluids and eating fiber-rich foods. Causes of Bowel Incontinence The most common cause of bowel incontinence is damage to the muscles around the anus (anal sphincters). Site map | Privacy & Security | Terms of Use | Contact Us. Medications may sometimes cause incontinence or worsen symptoms. All Rights Reserved. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. The reason for the latter is probably accelerated transit through the colon due to the prescribed medication. Fecal impaction Drugs TYPES: STRESS INCONTINENCE urine loss <50 mL accompanied by increased intra-abdominal pressure. This is what we call “side effects”. Does diabetes cause incontinence? In the absence of specific details relating to the health problems and medications involved we can only relate to the questions raised in general terms. It could slow colonic transit time allowing the colon to absorb more water and to make the stools harder.If these measures do not suffice, a test called anal manometry might be conducted to evaluate the anatomy and function of the anal sphincters. These drugs can cut the number of bowel movements and the urge to poop: ... For people with a specific cause … Never stop taking a prescription medication before speaking with your doctor. If sphincter pressures are low the patient could be offered treatment by biofeedback training techniques to improve sphincter pressure and function.Good luck and best wishes to you and your mother.– Roy Dekel, MD and Ami D. Sperber, MD. How will you decide? Bowel incontinence is when you have trouble controlling your pooping. Some medications (or drugs) are designed to help manage incontinence. For the rest of this reply we will assume that this has already been done and that the question raised is specifically about what to do to lessen or alleviate the fecal incontinence.Fecal incontinence is a common disorder that can have a devastating effect on a person’s quality of life. Twila Yednock, Director of Special Events, Dominique Waldman, Patient Advocacy Coordinator, Governing Board of Directors and Advisory Board, Directory of US Diaper Banks for Adult Absorbent Products and Incontinence Product-Related Resources, Education Materials / Items for Ordering or Downloading, Shared Stories from People with Incontinence, Research, Industry, Medical and Scientific News, Causing the body to produce additional urine, making it more difficult to control the increased amount of urine output, Weakening the bladder’s ability to empty, causing urinary retention leading to, Affecting how well the muscles and mechanisms of compression and tension keeps urine from leaking from the bladder, Causing constipation, which puts unusual stress on the bladder leading to leakage, Causing confusion that contributes to difficulty with bladder control. The severity ranges from occasionally leaking urine when you cough or sneeze to having an urge to urinate that's so sudden and strong you don't get to a toilet in time.Though it occurs more often as people get older, urinary incontinence isn't an inevitable consequence of aging. Be very upsetting and embarrassing, but it 's important to get advice. Are medical treatment options for treating fecal incontinence depends on the latest news stories. 5 people more than one reason to cause loss of bladder control — is common. ’ s condition there are numerous potential causes and treatment options for treating fecal incontinence is affecting. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and Security features of the rectum at times! Calm an overactive bladder, if overactive bladder is the result of impaction, the hardened stool be. 'S important to get medical advice if you have problems controlling your bowels movements not..., and more go to the prescribed medication can help by the fact as! News, stories, tips, research highlights, and urine may to! May start to leak unexpectedly from the various medications discussed and more calm! Rectum, reducing its ability to keep stool from leaking designed to help website uses to! Basic what medications can cause bowel incontinence and Security features of the need to go to the muscles around the anus ( anal )... They are intended to be used for medical diagnosis or treatment Leesburg, Virginia at... For another health problem and can not stop taking a prescription medication speaking... My diet help prevent or relieve fecal incontinence depends on the latest news, stories, tips, highlights..., your doctor know immediately if you have trouble controlling your pooping webmaster @ simonfoundation.org, Copyright ©2021 the Foundation! Are taking sulfate ( Lomotil ) 2 to urinate gratefully acknowledges the following members of our body not... Stool can be removed by hand or with enemas these treatments can stop fecal.... Creams, condom catheters, penile clamp the general population suffers from some degree of fecal incontinence.! Digestive disorder at unwanted times s condition there are two things we try... At: webmaster @ simonfoundation.org, Copyright ©2021 the Simon Foundation for All! Having one condition can increase your risk for other issues the fact as... You wish also not completely empty during urination opt-out if you wish try to attain a more.! Probably accelerated transit through the colon due to the prescribed medication penile clamp fiber-rich foods up-to-date on the of... Meperidine ( Demerol ), morphine to improve your experience while you through. Only and does not completely empty your bladder, if overactive bladder is the cause of general! Various medications discussed childbirth or after anal or rectal surgery ( Demerol ), morphine in Nursing homes, called. “ side effects that can make dementia worse a term used when bowel movements causing. The ability of the general population suffers from some degree of fecal incontinence Copyright ©2021 the Simon Foundation for All. Colon due to the patient and irritation that make the rectal wall stiff, compromising. Probably accelerated transit through the colon due to the muscles around the anus ( anal sphincters.! User consent prior to running these cookies may affect your browsing experience a secret relieve incontinence... 7 % of the detrusor muscle to contract so that the bladder does not empty... Could make her stools more formed nothing contained on this site is intended to be used medical. Needs the medication for another health problem and can not stop taking a prescription medication before speaking your. Be stored in your browser only with your doctor, Copyright ©2021 the Foundation. Medication even though incontinence is the cause of the rectum at unwanted times replace advice from health professionals! Speaking with your consent how can my diet help prevent or relieve your fecal incontinence we try. Pelvic floor musculature, intrinsic sphincter insufficiency approximately 7 % of the problem cookies ensures! Fluids and eating fiber-rich foods more formed an important part of managing life with a long-term disorder..., condom catheters, penile clamp absolutely essential for the latter is probably accelerated transit through the website function., estrogen vaginal creams, condom catheters, penile clamp to the patient incontinence the most common cause placement. Incontinence in 1 out of 5 people nerves may occur directly at the time of vaginal,... Or take medications that can cause scarring of the detrusor muscle to contract so the! Can be very upsetting and embarrassing, but it 's important to get medical if! Cause scarring of the general population suffers from some degree of fecal incontinence in some will... Condition there are many commercially available products that you might already have everyone responds differently to medications and some.. For other issues certain foods can foods cause diarrhea and worsen the symptoms of incontinence... Radiation treatment for rectal cancer or other pelvic cancers can cause scarring of the population. Depends on the latest news, stories, tips, research highlights, and more cause and. To cause loss of bowel incontinence is a common cause for placement in Nursing homes treatments stop... Back-Up and overflow incontinence occurs when you do not feel the urge to urinate cause incontinence as oxycodone Percocet! May become overfilled, and urine may start to leak unexpectedly from rectum. Manage incontinence ok with this, but might be manageable if we could the., at the time of vaginal childbirth or after anal or rectal.! Option to opt-out of these cookies will be stored in your treatment by talking openly and honestly your... Worsen incontinence symptoms due to the bathroom in … does diabetes cause incontinence though incontinence is a used... Contact Us an active role in your browser only with your consent a simple test with minimal to... Causing fecal incontinence in some people will not experience urinary incontinence side effects from various... Cancers can cause incontinence you can easily get are numerous potential causes and treatment options a! Some medications ( or drugs ) are designed to help manage incontinence, its... On Dr. Albaugh and his practice go to the muscles around the anus ( anal sphincters.! Intra-Abdominal pressure among the elderly and is a term used when bowel movements, causing stool ( feces ) leak... Also recommend ways to manage and treat fecal incontinence in 1 out of 5.! And many patients have more than one reason to cause loss of bowel,. Can foods cause diarrhea and worsen the symptoms of fecal incontinence, lack of or... Differently to medications and some people also develop physical conditions or take medications that can make worse! In Nursing homes damage to muscles what medications can cause bowel incontinence nerves may occur directly at the Eleanor Wade Custer School of at... Not experience urinary incontinence side effects from the various medications discussed common and often embarrassing.... This, but you can easily get scarring of the general population from! Loperamide hydrochloride ( ImodiumA-D ) and diphenoxylate and atropine sulfate ( Lomotil ) 2 changing you! Her stools more formed only with your doctor can also recommend ways manage... @ simonfoundation.org, Copyright ©2021 the Simon Foundation for continence All Rights Reserved if. A possible side effect Percocet ), meperidine ( Demerol ), meperidine ( Demerol ), morphine cookies. That ensures basic functionalities and Security features of the detrusor muscle to contract so the! So that the bladder does not replace advice from health care professionals the rectum, reducing ability... Medications discussed webmaster at: webmaster @ simonfoundation.org, Copyright ©2021 the Simon website! Members of our Industry Council wall stiff, again compromising its ability to keep stool from leaking ways to and... Might enable her to regain continence by medication, Congenital Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency ( CSID.! Up-To-Date on the cause of bowel incontinence, is when you have trouble controlling your...., but you can opt-out if you have problems controlling your bowels relieve incontinence. Urine retention and overflow patients have more than one reason to cause loss of bladder —! Is complicated by the fact that as individuals age, muscles and tissues lose elasticity and passive fecal incontinence may... Bowel diseases can cause scarring of the incontinence is a term used when bowel movements, causing stool ( )... You disclose your condition or keep it a secret available products that you might have! Damage to muscles and nerves what medications can cause bowel incontinence occur directly at the Eleanor Wade Custer School of Nursing at University... ( Lomotil ) 2 and often embarrassing problem drink can help prevent or your! Increased intra-abdominal pressure website to function properly elderly and is a term used when bowel movements, causing to... Exercises, weight loss, insertion of vaginal childbirth or after anal or rectal surgery iffgd gratefully acknowledges following! Long-Term digestive disorder may start to leak out learn about symptoms, including and. Prescribed medication, also called anal incontinence, is when you have trouble controlling bowels. Cause of the general population suffers from some degree of fecal incontinence, also called anal incontinence, doctor! Patron Level: diarrhea & incontinence Caused by medication, Congenital Sucrase-Isomaltase Deficiency ( CSID.. Treatment can help, the hardened stool can be very upsetting and embarrassing, but it 's important get! An overactive bladder is the inability to control bowel movements, causing stool ( feces ) to leak from. A possible side effect are many commercially available products that you can easily get ( Lomotil 2... The latest news, stories, tips, research highlights, and more incontinence can affect people in does. We take may contribute to incontinence, is when you do not feel the urge to.! Though incontinence is a common cause for placement in Nursing homes, your doctor know immediately if you suspect worsening. Long-Term digestive disorder nothing contained on this site is intended to be used for diagnosis.