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Anal Incontinence and Evacuation Difficulties

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Pelvic Floor Re-education

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Abstract

Many patients with fecal incontinence (FI), anal incontinence (AI), which includes loss of flatus or mucus, or evacuation difficulties can be helped by conservative measures.1,2 This often involves several different elements, rather than a single definitive intervention, and in clinical practice it makes sense to combine approaches in a retraining program to maximize patient benefit. Uncomplicated mild-to-moderate constipation will often respond to simple measures, such as a regular habit, increasing fiber and fluid intake, and getting more exercise, which should always be tried first. Anal incontinence will likewise often improve with attention to diet, bowel habits, and some retraining and exercises.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Burdett Institute of Gastrointestinal Nursing King’s College London, St Mark’s Hospital, Harrow, UK

    Christine Norton PhD, MA, RN

Authors
  1. Christine Norton PhD, MA, RN
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Gynaecology, Charité University Hospital, Berlin, Germany

    Kaven Baessler MD (Consultant Gynaecologist) (Consultant Gynaecologist)

  2. Division of Gerontology, Geriatrics and Palliative Care Department of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Kathryn L. Burgio PhD (Professor of Medicine, Associate Director) (Professor of Medicine, Associate Director)

  3. Geriatric Research, Education and Clinical Center, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham Veterans Affairs Medical Center, Birmingham, AL, USA

    Kathryn L. Burgio PhD (Professor of Medicine, Associate Director) (Professor of Medicine, Associate Director)

  4. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Utah School of Medicine, Salt Lake City, UT, USA

    Peggy A. Norton MD (Professor Chief of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery) (Professor Chief of Urogynecology and Reconstructive Pelvic Surgery)

  5. Neue Frauenklinik, Kantonsspital Luzern, Luzern, Switzerland

    Bernhard Schüssler MD, PhD (Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology) (Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology)

  6. Department of Urogynaecology, University of New South Wales St George Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia

    Kate H. Moore MBBS, MD, FRCOG, FRANZCOG, CU (Associate Professor) (Associate Professor)

  7. Portland Hospital, London, UK

    Stuart L. Stanton FRCS, FRCOG, FRANZCOG(Hon) (Professor of Pelvic Floor Reconstruction and Urogynaecology) (Professor of Pelvic Floor Reconstruction and Urogynaecology)

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© 2008 Springer-Verlag London Limited

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Norton, C. (2008). Anal Incontinence and Evacuation Difficulties. In: Baessler, K., Burgio, K.L., Norton, P.A., Schüssler, B., Moore, K.H., Stanton, S.L. (eds) Pelvic Floor Re-education. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-505-9_31

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-505-9_31

  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-85233-968-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84628-505-9

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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