Contrary to what many people might think, faecal incontinence is quite a common condition—and not only amongst the elderly and the infirm. Some people, for one reason or another, experience injuries or tears to the circular ring of muscles closing the anus leading to the development of faecal incontinence.

Causes of Faecal incontinence.

The commonest cause of tearing in the anal sphincter is complication of a difficult delivery, known as obstetric complications, in which the midwife or doctor had to use instruments, such as the forceps, to extract the baby. The anal sphincter can also be injured because of a major surgical procedure for the removal of a tumour or anal surgery.  Anal tears are a common cause of bowel incontinence in women.

Other conditions that cause severe pelvic muscle floor weakness can easily cause faecal incontinence. Such conditions include severe neurological disease (Multiple Sclerosis, Spina bifia, severe spinal cord injury).

Products used for Faecal Incontinence

Most patients with faecal incontinence are satisfied using protective incontinence products such as the absorptive incontinence pads, the All-in-One briefs, and the pull-up pants.  The concept behind the use of these products is simple. They act as a barrier between the faeces and the patient’s under garments preventing their soiling.  They are then removed and disposed of to be replaced by a fresh product and so on. Patients with mild bowel incontinence, who may just have streaks of stool passing involuntarily, usually find these protective products very convenient and efficient. Patients who suffer from severe incontinence need to use adult diapers in order to maximally control the leakage.

However, some patients’ lives suffer considerably because of their constant worry about the faecal soiling. This is a problem especially with the young and active. The feel of a soiled pad rubbing against their body is definitely not conducive to their exercise routine, or the activity in their daily lives. Some other patients suffer from stool incontinence accompanied by prolapse (or drooping of the anal lining) and are extremely discomfited by it. Anal plugs may offer  these patients some relief because they prevent stool from leaking altogether.

How are Anal Plugs Used for Anal Incontinence

Anal plugs are medical devices made of a porous absorbent material that lets air in and blocks the leaks entirely offering the patient a few hours of faecal incontinence free life. Anal plugs are available in two sizes. It is always recommended to try the smaller size first. Only use the bigger size if leakage continues. You will need to consult with your physician before you can buy it.  The only brand available in the UK is the “Peristeen anal plug”, and it is available by prescription only.

It is worth noting that anal plugs can only be used for a short period of time. They are not a permanent protective product that you can rely on. It should be kept for occasions where you need the most protection. Otherwise, rely on the good old pad for your basic faecal incontinence needs

Despite the advancement of science, incontinence is anaffliction thatcontinues to disturb the lives of  millions of people all over the world. No age, gender or economic  status are immune.

Hundreds of thousands of pounds are spent every year on studies and research on how to prevent and cure incontinence, whether urinary or faecal. This amount is most likely matched by individual and healthcare costs spent on incontinence related drugs, treatments and supplies.

Managing incontinence needs to be done under the supervision of a professional care provider. And the hardest step is usually to actually the start of therapy. Once started, compliance to the recommended regimen is very important for a successful intervention and effective management.

While the use of incontinence products does not cure or lessen the severity of incontinence, It can make life much easier for people struggling with embarassing effects of urinary leaks and faecal soiling. People leading an active lifestyle need not stop doing their usual activities. Proper use of incontinence supplies and products will decrease the shame, embarrassment,  and fear of ridicule that of people with incontinence suffer from in silence.

Incontinence products are available on the market to help manage the leaks and dribbles while  undergoing therapy. Incontinence supplies are available for purchase in select departement stores, of course, but they can also be purchased privately online from the comfort of your own home.

The advantages of online shopping for incontinence supplies are many. It is convenient, private, and sometimes more economical.  For those of you who do not want to risk running into someone you know at the “adult incontinence” isle in the departement store, online incontinence supplies shopping is ideal.

Incontinence supplies available on the market are as diverse as the needs of the patients. There are pads and pants that are specifically designed to absorb different volumes of urine or semi-solid excreta and are made to address the needs of the patient. There are also urinals or urine collectors, net knickers, belted or elasticated incontinence briefs or panties with padded gusset available at reasonable prices. Another set of important incontinence supplies are furniture protectors and mattress covers.

To choose the right incontinence supplies for your needs, you will have to take into consideration the type of incontinence you have (whether urinary or fecal) and the degree of leakage you suffer from (which is directly related to the amount of urine you lose.) If you lose only a small amount or a few drops of urine, you will need minimum personal protective products, such as incontinence pads. If you consistently lose a full bladder, or a large volume of urine, then you will be needing a highly absorbent incontinence briefs. You will also need to invest in mattress covers, bed pads, and duvet covers.

Choosing the right incontinence supplies from the many suppliers in the country and abroad may appear to be a very confusing and frustrating task at times.Yet, you need not worry. We have plenty of informationo on our site that will help you find the product that suits your incontinence needs.

The severity of incontinence is not as easily determined as one might think. Usually the question first  pops in a patient’s mind, when shopping for incontinence products for the first time. One may start to wonder which product absorbency range to choose. The question of whether to go for the thin sleek pads designed for mild incontinence or the thicker, but more protective, varieties. The choice may not be as intuitive as you might think. Physicians have designed an elaborate system to objectively assess the severity of incontinence based on the weight of the volume of urine leaked in a predefined period of time.

Is An Objective Assessment Of The Severity Of Incontinence Always Important?
The simple answer is, no not necessarily. In some instances, the severity of incontinence is self-evident and a simple questionnaire is all you need to find out where your incontinence falls on the severity spectrum.

For instance, if you respond with “just a few drops” to the question how much urine do you usually leak, then you know you have very mild, also known as minimal,  incontinence. If, on the other hand, your bladder has lost all its retention capacity and it empties itself regularly without your conscious control over it, then you have severe incontinence and need the heaviest protection possible.

So, in short, sometimes your subjective opinion is all you need when determining how severe your incontinence is.

Why Do Doctors Assess Severity Of Incontinence?

Doctors assess the severity of incontinence initially to complete the diagnosis and create a tangible way to follow up the results of urinary incontinence treatment the patient is prescribed.

Another important use for these assessments is comparing the results of different groups of patients and their responses to a certain new urinary incontinence treatment. This, naturally, occurs only in the clinical trial settings. Your doctor would ask for your consent before he/she enrolls you in a study or conducts a severity of incontinence assessment for such causes.

Finally, before suggesting that you undergo surgery for incontinence, physicians like to assess and confirm just how severe your incontinence is. Surgery is not a decision to be taken lightly and it is mostly only indicated for patients with severe incontinence which failed to respond to months of conservative and medical treatment.

Buying Products Suited To Your Severity Of Incontinence.

All incontinence products are designed with your needs in mind. And this is why manufacturers have made it easy for your to pick and choose your ideal product based on the severity of your incontinence.

Most products have a clearly labeled protection level indicated on them.

You can also find the absorption level graphically represented with colored droplets as such.

Whether you seek protection from light, moderate or severe incontinence, you will be able to find a product that suits your needs. Even if your doctor has not yet provided you with a professional assessment of  your severity of incontinence, you can get a small trial pack with the level of protection you think you need.