Book contents
- Reichel’s Care of the Elderly
- Reichel’s Care of the Elderly
- Copyright page
- In Memoriam
- Contents
- Contributors
- Section I General Approach to the Care of the Elderly
- Section II Geriatric Syndromes
- Section III Care of the Elderly by Organ System
- Chapter 13 Diagnosis and Management of Heart Disease
- Chapter 14 Hypertension
- Chapter 15 Peripheral Artery Disease
- Chapter 16 Neurologic Problems
- Chapter 17 Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Stroke
- Chapter 18 Movement Disorders
- Chapter 19 Sleep Disorders
- Chapter 20 Clinical Geropsychiatry
- Chapter 21 Substance Use Disorder
- Chapter 22 Pulmonary Issues
- Chapter 23 Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Chapter 24 Serious Infections
- Chapter 25 Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- Chapter 26 Kidney Disease
- Chapter 27 Urological Conditions
- Chapter 28 Urinary Incontinence
- Chapter 29 Fecal Incontinence
- Chapter 30 Gynecologic Issues
- Chapter 31 Endocrine Disorders
- Chapter 32 Diabetes Mellitus
- Chapter 33 Lipid Management
- Chapter 34 Osteoporosis and Other Metabolic Bone Disorders
- Chapter 35 Common Rheumatologic Disease
- Chapter 36 Geriatric Emergency Medicine
- Chapter 37 Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Chapter 38 Dermatologic Conditions
- Chapter 39 Pressure Injuries
- Chapter 40 Anemia and Other Hematological Problems
- Chapter 41 Cancer
- Chapter 42 Ocular Disorders
- Chapter 43 Geriatric Otolaryngology
- Chapter 44 Oral Health
- Chapter 45 Foot Health
- Section IV Principles of Care for the Elderly
- Index
- Plate Section (PDF Only)
- References
Chapter 29 - Fecal Incontinence
from Section III - Care of the Elderly by Organ System
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 30 June 2022
- Reichel’s Care of the Elderly
- Reichel’s Care of the Elderly
- Copyright page
- In Memoriam
- Contents
- Contributors
- Section I General Approach to the Care of the Elderly
- Section II Geriatric Syndromes
- Section III Care of the Elderly by Organ System
- Chapter 13 Diagnosis and Management of Heart Disease
- Chapter 14 Hypertension
- Chapter 15 Peripheral Artery Disease
- Chapter 16 Neurologic Problems
- Chapter 17 Prevention, Diagnosis, and Management of Stroke
- Chapter 18 Movement Disorders
- Chapter 19 Sleep Disorders
- Chapter 20 Clinical Geropsychiatry
- Chapter 21 Substance Use Disorder
- Chapter 22 Pulmonary Issues
- Chapter 23 Gastrointestinal Disorders
- Chapter 24 Serious Infections
- Chapter 25 Human Immunodeficiency Virus
- Chapter 26 Kidney Disease
- Chapter 27 Urological Conditions
- Chapter 28 Urinary Incontinence
- Chapter 29 Fecal Incontinence
- Chapter 30 Gynecologic Issues
- Chapter 31 Endocrine Disorders
- Chapter 32 Diabetes Mellitus
- Chapter 33 Lipid Management
- Chapter 34 Osteoporosis and Other Metabolic Bone Disorders
- Chapter 35 Common Rheumatologic Disease
- Chapter 36 Geriatric Emergency Medicine
- Chapter 37 Musculoskeletal Injuries
- Chapter 38 Dermatologic Conditions
- Chapter 39 Pressure Injuries
- Chapter 40 Anemia and Other Hematological Problems
- Chapter 41 Cancer
- Chapter 42 Ocular Disorders
- Chapter 43 Geriatric Otolaryngology
- Chapter 44 Oral Health
- Chapter 45 Foot Health
- Section IV Principles of Care for the Elderly
- Index
- Plate Section (PDF Only)
- References
Summary
Fecal incontinence (FI) is defined as the involuntary loss of solid or liquid stool and has an enormous impact on quality of life. Continence depends on a number of factors including cognitive function, stool volume and stool consistency, colonic transit, rectal compliance, anal sphincter function, anorectal sensation, and anorectal reflexes. Loss of continence often results from impairment in any of these factors. Initial evaluation consists of a focused history and a physical examination looking for potential reversible and/or treatable factors. First-line treatment include dietary, behavioral, and pharmacologic management approaches in community-dwelling and long-term care settings. If first-line treatments are not effective, additional evaluation with anorectal manometry and other tests may be warranted. Surgical treatments for FI may improve symptoms and more efficacy data is needed, especially among older adults. Therapeutic options using behavioral, pharmacological, and surgical approaches can lead to symptomatic improvements or cure for FI and increased quality of life for the older patient.
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- Reichel's Care of the ElderlyClinical Aspects of Aging, pp. 364 - 372Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2022