A Quick Guide to Understanding Incomplete Bowel Movements
Bowel movements may not be the ideal topic for a dinner conversation, but it’s extremely important to be aware of how your internal systems are functioning.
There’s nothing quite as uncomfortable as going to the bathroom and
feeling like you’ve not quite finished the job when you leave. Not only
is it a physical discomfort
but it can leave you wondering if there are bigger issues occurring
within your body that are causing it. This guide will help you
understand how healthy and unhealthy bowel movements occur, the symptoms
of incomplete bowel movements, what can cause it and how it can be
treated.
What is an incomplete bowel movement?
How does a complete bowel movement occur?
After food is eaten, during the process of digestion, stool matter moves through the large intestine, during which water is absorbed from the stool matter. This is what allows the stool to solidify. After this, the stool matter makes its way to the sigmoid colon and then finally to the rectum where it is prepped to be passed. This is meant to happen about one to two times a day, depending on an individual’s biorhythms.
What causes an incomplete evacuation?
While there is still much
research to be done to know the general range of causes of this problem,
there are two major physiological processes associated with IBS and
constipation that are believed to be the cause of incomplete evacuation.
The first is called visceral sensitivity, which is when the internal
organs, such as the large intestine, the anus, and the rectum have an
increased sensitivity to pain. This can affect the passage of the stool
through the rectum.
Motility dysfunction is the second possible cause, which inhibits the digestive tract from functioning smoothly. This can affect the formation of the stool and leave you feeling unsatisfied after evacuation.
What are your options for treating this?
1. In cases where one suffers from bouts of constipation, it may, in fact, be physiological issues causing the incomplete evacuation of your bowels. Treating the underlying cause of constipation with medications or laxatives may be able to result in healthier and completed bowel movements.
2. Empty the bowels as much as possible routinely, and at the same time every day. For most people, their biorhythm dictates that the strongest urges to evacuate their bowels are in the morning.
3. If you are suffering from dyssynergic defecation, which is a pelvic floor dysfunction of the nerves and muscles of the pelvic floor, this can result in constipation. Biofeedback can be extremely helpful as a treatment.
4. With persons suffering from chronic diarrhea, the sensation of an incomplete bowel movement will often occur following a bowel movement. If this sensation cannot be traced to any physiological issue, it is likely only a feeling. In such cases, it can be helpful to give yourself gentle reminders that the bowel has been fully evacuated.
5. Finally, when you’re on the toilet, it can drastically help the body to use relaxation exercises, which can settle and calm your body, muscles, and nerves which can effectively allow you to pass your stool.
What is an incomplete bowel movement?
Anyone suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
is likely familiar with the uncomfortable sensation of “incomplete
evacuation”. It is a subjective sensation that occurs when one feels
like they have not completely evacuated their bowels. However, this
struggle is not isolated only to people with IBS. Despite how common
this affliction is, there has been limited research done into the
symptoms, causes, and treatment of this particular issue. Understanding
what causes an incomplete evacuation can go a long way in figuring out
self-care strategies to reduce instances of incomplete evacuation.
After food is eaten, during the process of digestion, stool matter moves through the large intestine, during which water is absorbed from the stool matter. This is what allows the stool to solidify. After this, the stool matter makes its way to the sigmoid colon and then finally to the rectum where it is prepped to be passed. This is meant to happen about one to two times a day, depending on an individual’s biorhythms.
What causes an incomplete evacuation?
Motility dysfunction is the second possible cause, which inhibits the digestive tract from functioning smoothly. This can affect the formation of the stool and leave you feeling unsatisfied after evacuation.
What are your options for treating this?
1. In cases where one suffers from bouts of constipation, it may, in fact, be physiological issues causing the incomplete evacuation of your bowels. Treating the underlying cause of constipation with medications or laxatives may be able to result in healthier and completed bowel movements.
2. Empty the bowels as much as possible routinely, and at the same time every day. For most people, their biorhythm dictates that the strongest urges to evacuate their bowels are in the morning.
3. If you are suffering from dyssynergic defecation, which is a pelvic floor dysfunction of the nerves and muscles of the pelvic floor, this can result in constipation. Biofeedback can be extremely helpful as a treatment.
4. With persons suffering from chronic diarrhea, the sensation of an incomplete bowel movement will often occur following a bowel movement. If this sensation cannot be traced to any physiological issue, it is likely only a feeling. In such cases, it can be helpful to give yourself gentle reminders that the bowel has been fully evacuated.
5. Finally, when you’re on the toilet, it can drastically help the body to use relaxation exercises, which can settle and calm your body, muscles, and nerves which can effectively allow you to pass your stool.