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Published on: 4/7/2025

What Steps Can Be Taken to Improve Incomplete Bowel Elimination?

Steps to improve incomplete bowel elimination include lifestyle modifications, appropriate medication use, and sometimes biofeedback therapy to help the muscles work better during bowel movements.

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Explanation

To help improve incomplete bowel elimination, several approaches can be used. First, making changes in your diet, such as increasing fiber and fluid intake, can help soften stool and make it easier to pass. Another important step is establishing a regular toilet routine that helps train your body to have a bowel movement at the same time every day. Medications may also be used; for example, stool softeners or mild laxatives can be helpful under a doctor’s guidance. Additionally, biofeedback therapy is a treatment that teaches you how to relax and coordinate the muscles involved in defecation. This therapy uses visual or verbal feedback to show you the best way to use these muscles. In some cases, pelvic floor exercises are recommended to strengthen the muscles and improve overall bowel function. Overall, the key is to combine dietary changes, regular habits, medications if needed, and therapies like biofeedback to help support more complete bowel elimination and enhance your everyday comfort.

(References)

  • Omar MI, Alexander CE. Drug treatment for faecal incontinence in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2013 Jun 11;2013(6):CD002116. doi: 10.1002/14651858.CD002116.pub2. PMID: 23757096; PMCID: PMC7098421.

  • Rao SS. Biofeedback therapy for constipation in adults. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2011 Feb;25(1):159-66. doi: 10.1016/j.bpg.2011.01.004. PMID: 21382587; PMCID: PMC3073852.

  • Brown H, Grimes C. Current Trends in Management of Defecatory Dysfunction, Posterior Compartment Prolapse, and Fecal Incontinence. Curr Obstet Gynecol Rep. 2016 Jun;5(2):165-171. doi: 10.1007/s13669-016-0148-0. PMID: 27547494; PMCID: PMC4990142.

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