Staples C, Henschke P
Aust Fam Physician. 1989 Aug;18(8):972-6.
Faecal incontinence is a disorder predominantly of the elderly. It is one of the more unpleasant consequences of failing health in old age, both for the sufferer and for the care giver. There are many potential colorectal and anal disorders capable of contributing to or causing faecal incontinence. However, in the elderly, there are two major causes: faecal loading and neurogenic incontinence. Rectal examination is mandatory for all patients with faecal incontinence as it allows the detection of local anorectal abnormalities (not only impaction or faecal loading) which may be responsible for the incontinence. With faecal impaction, there is a history of continuous faecal soiling in the presence of a loaded rectum and in neurogenic incontinence, there is the passage of formed stools with a normal rectal examination. Faecal incontinence imposes a heavy care burden. Often, faecal incontinence can be successfully treated. However, when intractable, continence nurse advisers are available to assist in the selection of suitable pads and underclothing.
大便失禁主要是一种老年疾病。它是老年健康状况不佳带来的较为令人不适的后果之一，对患者和护理人员来说都是如此。有许多潜在的结直肠和肛门疾病可能导致或引发大便失禁。然而，在老年人中，有两个主要原因：粪便嵌塞和神经源性失禁。所有大便失禁患者都必须进行直肠检查，因为这有助于发现可能导致失禁的局部肛门直肠异常情况（不仅是粪块阻塞或粪便嵌塞）。对于粪便嵌塞，存在直肠充满粪便时持续粪便污染的病史，而对于神经源性失禁，直肠检查正常但仍有成形粪便排出。大便失禁带来沉重的护理负担。通常，大便失禁可以成功治疗。然而，当病情难以治疗时，有失禁护理顾问可协助选择合适的护垫和内衣。
