I'm new to this site, and need advice about faecal incontinence

[willia]

In the last 2 weeks, since I have changed to wholemeal 'ancient grains' bread, I have had a slight but embarassing faecal leakage which occurs daily about two hours after a bowel movement. For safety I am using cotton wool pads. Do you think the change of diet has caused this?

[Zest]

Hi Willia,

You might find these links helpful to your query, the first is the NHS pages about Bowel incontinence:

nhs.uk/Conditions/Incontine...

The second is a link to the IBS forum, which might be helpful to you:

healthunlocked.com/theibsne...

I hope these are helpful.

Zest

[Tibblington]

It does sound as though you have shocked the system a bit and the new bread is "getting you on the move" . Don't give up on the bread as it has all the minerals and vtamins you need. If you are having bowel movement three times a day it is not unreasonable. If it was me I would put up with the inconvenience for a little longer before seeking advice as it could well settle own. In the event of a professional consultation it would be useful to know your transit time; the time taken for food to pass through the alimentary canal from mouth to discharge. If you can't measure this try eating some sweet corn and not chewing too much! 18 to 24 hours would be reasonable but if it's a lot shorter and is still so after another week I think I would seek some professional advice from a specialist.

There's a useful chart on the site: healthscams.org.uk/constipa... The rest of the article hardly applies to you but the chart is useful.

[willia in reply to Tibblington]

Thanks! Yesterday I went back to ordinary wholemeal [ie without grains] and today so far no problem... I don't want to give up on wholemeal because of the 'good for me' stuff - pity, though, the Ancient Grain bread was lovely!

I'll try the corn idea, using one of those individual varied vegetable steamed pouches.

[Tibblington]

I'm pleased for you. You have done your own diagnosis. Always better than any doctor. Do try making your own bread; I make all the bread here and really enjoy it.