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?
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.
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 complete 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.