Low Anterior Resection Syndrome (LARS)
Low anterior resection syndrome (LARS), is a collection of symptoms that some people may experience after they had surgery to remove part of, or the entire rectum. It occurs in up to 40% of people who had the entire rectum resected. Symptoms differ from person to person, and often improves over time.
What are the common symptoms?
- Frequency or urgency of stools
- Numerous small stools over a few hours (Clustering)
- Painful stools
- Incontinence
- Increased gas
- No stool for a day or two, then numerous bowel movements on one day
What can help to manage the symptoms?
Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles with Kegel exercises combined with diet changes may help with urgency and incontinence.
Medications that may help:
- Imodium (Loperamide)
- Anti-diarrhoeal medication and helps to thicken stool
- Normacol
- Fibre product improves stool consistency and absorbs moisture
- Probiotics may be helpful
Other tips and tricks:
- Chew food thoroughly
- Eat smaller meals, more frequently (5 to 6 meals per day)
- Keep a food diary to discover and eliminate foods that aggravate your symptoms
- Drink plenty of fluids
- Limit caffeine and alcohol
- Eat foods with soluble fibre like oatmeal, white rice, bananas, white bread and canned fruit
- Always carry a “survival pack” with Imodium, wet wipes and even spare underwear