What are the complications of anal incontinence?

Anal incontinence is a phenomenon of anal defecation dysfunction. If it is not effectively treated, in addition to affecting the patient's healthy life and work, it may also cause other complications, causing local skin redness, swelling, erosion and other symptoms.

1. Normal defecation function requires a complete reflex mechanism , including the central nervous system status of the environment, sensory reflexes of the anorectal area, tension in the anal canal, integrity of the sphincter (muscle tube rectal ring) and the health of its innervating nerves. If any of these links is affected, fecal incontinence may occur.

2. Fecal incontinence is also called anal incontinence. If one can control dry stools at will but loses the ability to control loose stools and gas, it is called incomplete incontinence or semi-incontinence. Complete incontinence occurs when the anus cannot be closed tightly regardless of the function and opens in a round shape. Feces and mucus often flow out when coughing, walking, squatting, or sleeping, contaminating the underwear and making the anus wet and itchy.

3. The most common complication for patients with anal incontinence is inflammation of the perineum , sacrum, and perianal skin. Some patients may also develop retrograde urinary tract infection or vaginitis and skin redness, swelling, and ulceration.

4. This is because feces irritate the skin and mucous membranes , causing the perineum skin to be often damp and eroded by metabolic products. Coupled with the friction between the skin, it causes redness, swelling and ulceration of the skin.

5. There is data to prove that there is a corresponding relationship between the severity of urinary and fecal incontinence and skin redness and swelling. If not cleaned in time or improperly, bacteria can easily pass through the urethra and cause ascending urinary tract infection and vaginitis.

6. These complications not only bring pain to the patient's body , but also cause the patient to have a series of psychological problems such as shyness, loneliness and even fear. As reported by Hodder, shy dragger syndrome (SDS) causes patients to suffer physically and mentally. Patients often become slow in physical and mental reactions, and their movements are too slow and stiff. Among them, urinary and fecal incontinence is the main symptom of SDS. SDS also includes symptoms such as syncope, impotence, constipation, and arrhythmia.