What Are the Symptoms and Treatment Options for Incomplete Fecal Evacuation?

Family Medicine, Primary Care Roots Community Health Center, Hippo Education, Kameda Medical Center

Supervised by Kenji Taylor, MD

Incomplete fecal evacuation means feeling like you haven’t fully emptied your bowels, and it can cause discomfort along with other symptoms like straining or a sensation of blockage. Treatment often starts with changes in diet and exercises to improve bowel movements, with more advanced therapies used if needed.

Explanation

When someone has incomplete fecal evacuation, they often feel that they haven’t finished their bowel movement. This feeling may come with straining, bloating, or a full feeling in the belly. It can make using the bathroom a slow and uncomfortable process. Some people also report pain or a sensation that something is still there when it really isn’t. Treatment options start with simple changes. Many doctors recommend eating more fiber and drinking plenty of water to make stools softer and easier to pass. Regular exercise and setting up a routine for bathroom visits can help too. If these measures aren’t enough, doctors might suggest pelvic floor physical therapy or biofeedback. These therapies teach you how to relax and coordinate the muscles used during defecation, making it easier to empty the bowels completely. Medications might also be used if constipation is a part of the problem.

(References)

Fabrizio AC, Alimi Y, Kumar AS. Methods of Evaluation of Anorectal Causes of Obstructed Defecation. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2017 Feb;30(1):46-56. doi: 10.1055/s-0036-1593427. PMID: 28144212; PMCID: PMC5179274.
Drossman DA. Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders: History, Pathophysiology, Clinical Features and Rome IV. Gastroenterology. 2016 Feb 19:S0016-5085(16)00223-7. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2016.02.032. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 27144617.
Ingemansson A, Walter SA, Jones MP, Sjödahl J. Defecation Symptoms in Relation to Stool Consistency Significantly Reflect the Dyssynergic Pattern in High-resolution Anorectal Manometry in Constipated Patients. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2024 Jan 1;58(1):57-63. doi: 10.1097/MCG.0000000000001794. PMID: 36730549.

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