I’ve recently started to have unexpected bowel movements. As you can imagine this is VERY embarrassing and I fear leaving the house. I’m recently retired and was looking forward to having the time to do things I never got a chance to do when my children were young. Any help or advise would be much appreciated. I just want to get my life back and enjoy my retirement.
Hi,
Sorry to hear you are struggling with this. It is estimated that 6.5 million people in the UK suffer from some form of bowel incontinence.
The first step in finding treatment for your condition is to find the underlying reason for your bowel movements. Seeing a Doctor can help you to find the underlying reason if you are unsure. If your incontinence is caused by diarrhoea, you should avoid foods that easily upset your digestive system. You should avoid substances that are known irritants, such as coffee and alcohol. Dairy products such as yoghurt and cheeses can also worsen diarrhoea. If your faecal incontinence is caused by constipation or haemorrhoids on the other hand, you should frequently consume liquids that soften the stools. An easy way to soften stools is through consuming more foods containing fibre. You can read our advice on an ideal diet plan for managing faecal incontinence for more information.
It may seem embarrassing to talk to a Doctor, however, it is important to have the opinion of a health professional. They may recommend you medication options such as anti-diarrheal medicines or laxatives. You will also be provided with options for surgery if medication or other lifestyle tips do not work.
Moderate physical activity helps to regulate normal bowel habits and can reduce your symptoms. Consider going running frequently or doing exercise such as swimming or gentle sport.
Do not worry about the embarrassment of unexpected bowel movements, as there are numerous pads and all-in-one products in the market for faecal incontinence. Plenty of online stores offer a variety of products for both mobile and immobile people.
Do have heavy or complete loss of bowel control, or are your leakages light and infrequent? Do not hesitate to ask for product advice.
