I have problems with my stool
Complaints with the stool are more common than you think and there is a lot that can be done about it. With the right treatment you can improve the quality of your life enormously. Women's Healthcare Center Amsterdam is happy to offer you personal care, quality and attention.
What are common bowel complaints?
Fecal complaints include fecal incontinence or difficult bowel movements. Fecal incontinence is also called fecal incontinence or stool incontinence. This involves the involuntary loss of feces or gas at a time and place that is inconvenient for you. Complaints worsen over time and cause a significant reduction in quality of life.
There is a difficult bowel movement if someone has a bowel movement less than 3 times a week or if this only succeeds by pushing very hard. In most cases, the stool is very hard and/or dry. You may also experience pain when defecating. Hard, thick stool can cause cracks and fissures in the anus. This can cause a burning sensation. After defecating, you may still have the feeling that you have to defecate. This can be caused by hemorrhoids that have developed due to pushing too hard.
You may experience the following complaints regarding your stool:
- Bubbling bowels and watery diarrhea
- Small amounts of stool throughout the day
- Long-term diarrhea and fatigue
- Constipation, accumulation of stool
Causes of bowel complaints
Causes of fecal incontinence can be a poorly functioning sphincter, insensitive rectum or a bowel prolapse. This can be related to weakened pelvic floor muscles, which means that the pelvic floor offers too little support. The weakening occurs mainly at a later age.
Sometimes there is damage to the sphincter muscle, sustained during childbirth or operations to remove hemorrhoids or repair a fissure. Another cause is damage to the nerves that control the anal muscles. This damage is caused by, among other things, childbirth, prolonged and hard straining during defecation, diabetes, spinal cord disorders or Multiple Sclerosis. It is also possible that the rectum has reduced elasticity. This ensures that the stool can be held for less time when there is an urge.
Causes of difficult bowel movements
Causes of difficult bowel movements can be found in incorrect diet or lifestyle. If you do not consume enough fluid or fiber-rich food, you can get hard stools, which makes bowel movements difficult. Postponing a visit to the toilet can also cause hard stools. In the rectum, stool dries out and becomes hard and dry.
When there is increased muscle tension in the pelvic floor, the blood vessels around the anus are pinched. The skin then becomes very vulnerable and this can cause pain. It is also possible that the pelvic floor is used incorrectly. Then, there is pressing instead of relaxing to get rid of the stool.
Other conditions include colon polyps or thyroid abnormalities. Certain medications can also have constipation as a side effect. Tranquilizers, sleeping pills, iron pills or long-term use of laxatives.
Treatment for bowel complaints
Depending on the cause of your complaints, a treatment plan can be determined. Usually, pelvic physiotherapy and nutritional advice are started. This way, you learn to use your pelvic floor muscles properly again and changes in your diet can prevent constipation or diarrhea. If necessary, medication is prescribed to make the stool firmer or thinner.
In case of fecal incontinence, it can be a solution to rinse the rectum, an enema. This way you can go out for the rest of the day without worries. An anal tampon or an operation can also prevent unwanted loss of stool. In case of very severe loss of stool that is difficult to treat, a stoma can offer a solution.
If difficult bowel movements are caused by abnormalities in the bowel or pelvic floor, there are other treatments available. For example, in the case of rectal prolapse, surgery can solve the problems.
What can we do for you?
Women's Healthcare Center provides expert care and support for women. Our team of specialisten will do everything they can to help you get the right diagnosis and find the best treatment options.
