Fecal Soiling in Adults

Manage fecal soiling with incontinence products

Fecal soiling has interpersonal, social, economic, sexual, and work place related impact. When an adult suffers from fecal soiling, their life is greatly impacted for the negative. It is an embarrassing problem that is often detrimental to self-esteem, as well as independence. Fecal incontinence is the second leading cause of nursing home placement for seniors.

What is fecal soiling in adults?

Fecal soiling in adults is defined as the inability to control the passage of or loss of gas, liquid, and/or solid stool. It can be mild to severe. It is reported that only about 2% of the adult population has daily or weekly episodes of fecal incontinence. Between 6-7% of the population experiences only minor fecal soiling, with less than 2 tsp of fecal matter being lost, causing staining to undergarments, but not much more.

Some studies suggest that one in ten or one in tweleve Americans suffer fecal soiling. The exact number is hard to pinpoint due to the embarrassing nature of the problem. Fecal soiling is most prevalent in the aged or aging, with 33% of elderly in homes or hospital care experiencing bowel control problems, 23% o stroke patients experience fecal soiling. Women who have had a vaginal delivery are more likely to experience fecal soiling, and 2.2 % of all women that have delivered more than one child are said to experience it some.

What are the options for dealing with fecal soiling?

Fecal soiling is best dealt with in two-part plan of treatment and management. First treat the causes, and look for solutions. Second, manage the symptoms.

Treatment options vary, and are best discussed with a doctor, but often combine a mix of medications and lifestyle/dietary changes. Great results have been shown in the area of sacral nerve stimulation to treat urge fecal incontinence.

Managing fecal soiling is best done with incontinence products specifically designed for bowel incontinence. The CareGiver Partnership offers a large number of options for managing bowel incontinence. 

Attends offers several options for fecal soiling, that are comfortable, promote skin health, discretion, and protection.

The CareGiver Partnership not only has over 500 products to choose from. They know that choosing the right product often is dependent on your individual circumstances. Those with minor fecal soiling might find a pad to be sufficient protection, while others may need an adult diaper. In order to help you determine which is best for you, and to accommodate those needs, The CareGiver Partnership offers 100 samples as well as knowledgeable product specialists willing to assist you in finding the right fit. According to Kimberly-Clarks consumer research, consumers buying incontinence products the first time, waste over $130 buying 8 to 10 packs before finding a product that works best for them. These nice ladies provide information, support, ordering help, and more. To contact a product specialist call 800-985-1353 M-F 9-4 Central.   

Avoid wasting money on incontinence products, try our Sample Service. 

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About The CareGiver Partnership. The CareGiver Partnership helps caregivers and their loved ones with answers to their caregiving questions, including information about home health care products and supplies, from our Wisconsin-based team of Product Specialists who are all current or former caregivers. The company’s Web site provides the largest online library of resources on subjects most important to caregivers — from arthritis to assisted living, and Parkinson’s to prostate cancer — as well as access to more than 3,000 home care products for incontinence, skin care, mobility, home safety and daily living aids. The CareGiver Partnership was founded in 2004 by Lynn Wilson of Neenah, Wisc. Visithttp://www.caregiverpartnership.com to learn more or call 1-800-985-1353.