Incontinence of gas and stool is one of the most embarrassing complaints there is, and one of the least often mentioned to a doctor. The result is withdrawal from social and working life — even though in many cases the symptoms can be clearly reduced by physiotherapy alone.
The most common causes are birth injuries, especially after instrumental deliveries and perineal tears, surgery around the anus, weakening of the sphincters after menopause, and chronic overload — long-term straining with constipation, endurance sport and heavy lifting.
Therapy starts with a functional examination, which shows whether the sphincters are weak or, on the contrary, overactive and unable to release. That distinction decides everything that follows.
Therapy
- Detailed history and a bowel diary
- Functional examination of the sphincters and pelvic floor
- Training of the sphincters and pelvic floor
- Learning correct posture for opening the bowels
- Behavioural therapy and re-learning habits
- Breathing and diaphragm work
- Home programme