Cholecystectomy is a widely performed surgery involving the surgical removal of the gallbladder, an organ located beneath the liver. It is a small pear-shaped organ that secretes and stores the bile produced by the liver to help in the digestion of fats.
Although this surgery eliminates the pain and discomfort caused by gallstones or another disease of the gallbladder, it causes a number of changes in the digestive system, which affects one’s life.
Among them, bowel incontinence is one of the most complicated side effects that some patients can face while having a significant impact on their daily lives.
Therefore, we will discuss the changes you might feel after gallbladder surgery and how it can lead to incontinence.
Understanding Gallbladder Surgery and Its Impact on Digestion
The gallbladder has an essential function in digestion since it releases bile into the small intestine for fat digestion.
In cholecystectomy, the bile is steadily secreted in the small intestine rather than accumulated in the gallbladder and later released into the small intestine when stimulated by food intake.
However, after surgery, this continual release of bile can sometimes cause damage to the gastrointestinal tract and lead to diarrhea or altered bowel movements, such as bowel incontinence.
Fecal or bowel incontinence is a condition that makes an individual unable to control bowel movements, leading to the unscheduled passing of stool.
This can vary from slight incontinence that may occur occasionally and involves just a small amount of feces to fecal incontinence, which entails total loss of bowel control.
Some people may have bowel incontinence after surgical procedures, and others might have a long-term problem. Nevertheless, it is essential to comprehend the causes and approaches to manage so people can have an enhanced quality of life after surgery.
Causes of Bowel Incontinence After Gallbladder Surgery
Following gallbladder surgery, alterations in bile flow and digestive function are frequently associated with bowel incontinence. This condition is a result of several circumstances.
1. Increased Bile Flow
In the absence of the gallbladder, bile is channeled directly from the liver to the intestines. This continuous flow of bile can be a sort of abdominal laxative that moves the stool rapidly through the intestines, thus causing diarrhea or loose stool. This quicker transit time hampers the body’s absorption of water by the stool, leading to incontinence.
2. Changes in Gut Motility
Surgical removal of the gallbladder is known to disrupt the normal movement of food matter in the gut and, thus, cause distortion in the process. This may lead to problems such as the urge to defecate, a bloated abdomen, or the inability to control bowel movements.
3. Dietary Adjustments
After surgery, the patients are required to change their diet to deal with the gastrointestinal issues. Fatty foods significantly worsen diarrhea and incontinence as they need more bile to digest. If dietary changes are not made, then this could result in constant digestion problems.
4. Existing Digestive Conditions
People suffering from IBS or Crohn’s disease are notably at a higher risk of suffering from urinary incontinence after gallbladder removal surgery.
Managing Bowel Incontinence After Gallbladder Surgery
Although it might be upsetting, there are a number of techniques that can assist in effectively managing the problem of bowel incontinence. These are some pointers to help you take back control and enhance your life.
1. Dietary Modifications
Diet management is equally essential when it comes to treating bowel incontinence after the removal of the gallbladder. Some people recommended dietary changes that can help prevent or decrease the incidence of bowel incontinence. The following changes in diet may be considered.
- Low-Fat Diet: Since bile is required for the digestion of fats, the consumption of fatty foods can worsen diarrhea and incontinence. Therefore, it is recommended to resort to low-fat diets, which help relieve symptoms of conditions by taking the pressure off the digestive system. Also, try to consume lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, or vegetables, and avoid saturated fats and processed foods.
- Smaller, Frequent Meals: Reducing portion sizes and spacing out your meals will ensure that food is broken down efficiently. This could help to avoid loading your stomach with large volumes of food that might lead to incontinence.
- Avoid Trigger Foods: There are foods that should be avoided to control diarrhea and incontinence, including spiced foods, coffee, tea, alcohol, and foods containing saccharin. By noting down what you eat, you can pinpoint specific foods that should be avoided in your meal plan.
2. Medications
In certain circumstances, medication may be required to treat bowel incontinence following gallbladder surgery. Consult your healthcare professional about the following choices.
- Anti-Diarrheal Medications: You can use Imodium or other over-the-counter medicines that aim to reduce the frequency of bowel movements. Depending on the extent of the symptoms, these medications may be prescribed for as long as required or taken on a daily basis.
- Probiotics: Probiotics are good bacteria that can aid in better digestion and gut balance restoration. By using a high-quality probiotic supplement, incontinence symptoms may be lessened, and bowel movements may be regulated.
- Bowel Incontinence Products: Use of bowel incontinence products, such as adult diapers and products similar to adult pull ups, can offer much-needed security and comfort to those with moderate to severe bowel incontinence. These items are meant to provide discretion in daily life, stop mishaps, and absorb leaks. Taking good care of your skin is crucial if you use incontinence products on a daily basis to prevent irritation. It is essential to know how to get rid of a diaper rash in 24 hours. To expedite the healing process, keep the skin cleansed and hydrated with a barrier cream.
3. Pelvic Floor Exercises
Exercises for the pelvic floor, commonly referred to as Kegel exercises, can help strengthen these muscles and enhance control over bowel motions.
The muscles that support the bladder and the rectum are contracted and relaxed during these workouts. Frequent pelvic floor exercises may improve muscular tone and lower the risk of incontinence.
How to carry out Kegel exercises.
- Stopping the urine flow when peeing will help you identify the muscles in your pelvic floor. These are the pelvic floor muscles that you employ for this.
- For five seconds, contract these muscles and then release them. Do this ten to fifteen times in a row.
- When your muscles get stronger, gradually lengthen each contraction.
- To get the optimum effects, try to incorporate exercise for incontinence, such as Kegel.
Seeking advice from a pelvic floor physical therapist might help you through the pelvic floor workout regimen if you’re not sure how to do it right.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While bowel incontinence is a common side effect after gallbladder surgery, it’s important to seek medical attention if your symptoms are severe or persistent. Consult your healthcare provider if you experience the following.
- Chronic Diarrhea: It’s crucial to consult a doctor if diarrhea lasts longer than a few weeks or is accompanied by severe cramps or dehydration. If left untreated, chronic diarrhea can result in dehydration and dietary deficiencies.
- Sudden Onset of Incontinence: If you develop bowel incontinence all of a sudden, there may be an underlying problem that needs to be evaluated by a doctor.
Bottomline
Dealing with any type of surgery can be challenging, let alone managing incontinence along with it. However, you can manage this process without breaking a sweat with the right strategies and a clear understanding of your condition.
Stay clean with your diet, maintain your physical health, and go for regular checkups if necessary. However, if the situation still worsens, try to consult your healthcare provider immediately.
Remember, when it comes to gallbladder surgery, everything is about patience and rest.
