May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Diarrhea Overflow Diarrhoea Secondary to Chronic Constipation
Overflow Diarrhoea Secondary to Chronic Constipation |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: My wife is having incidents of leaking diarrhea. She is 57 years old, in reasonable health, not overweight and has tried modifying her diet. Sometimes that is effective, others times it does seem to matter. Dear Thomas: There are several causes of faecal incontinence in the adult population. A common cause is overflow diarrhoea secondary to chronic constipation. Other causes include: gastrointestinal infections; gastrointestinal disorders (such as inflammatory bowel disease or irritable bowel syndrome); weakness of the anal muscles, external and internal anal sphincters (may occur post childbirth in females or instrumental delivery, regular anal sex); decreased rectal sensation (may occur in spinal cord lesions, peripheral neuropathy, diabetes, neurological disorders and multiple sclerosis). Any persistent change in bowel habit in your wife’s age group warrants investigation, and I advise attending her family doctor for a detailed history and physical examination. |
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| Last Updated ( Sunday, 28 March 2010 ) |
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