Bowel or fecal incontinence is defined as involuntary passage of stools. It's more widespread than most people think, as more than six million Americans suffer from it. It's often psychologically and socially distressing and can have quite an impact on the quality of life. While it is more common in older people, it can affect anyone, children and adults. Bowel incontinence can be successfully treated.
What causes fecal incontinence? There are many possible causes. Most common are constipation, diarrhea, and muscle or nerve damage. Normal bowel movements are controlled by a complex mechanism that depends on functioning muscles and nerves of the colon and rectum. If any of these elements aren't functioning well, the result may be incontinence.
The most common cause of fecal incontinence, especially in the elderly, is a severe form of constipation called fecal impaction. Fecal impaction means a large mass of dry, hard stool in the rectum that can't be pushed out. As a result, the muscles of the rectum stretch and weaken. Watery stool from higher in the bowel starts leaking out around the hardened stool.
Diarrhea is one of the most common causes that can lead to an involuntary loss of liquid stool. It can be caused by temporary problems such as food reactions or chronic conditions like IBS and Crohn's disease.
Damage to the anal sphincter muscles that is most commonly caused by childbirth of anal surgery can also lead to incontinence. When damaged, these muscles are not strong enough to keep the stool inside.
Problems with nerves that control the anal sphincter or those that sense stool in the rectum can also cause incontinence. They can be damaged by childbirth, stroke and diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord tumors.
Many people with fecal incontinence think that nothing can help them. And because it's still a taboo subject, they don't like to talk about it, not even with a doctor. It's important to understand that fecal incontinence is a treatable condition.
What causes fecal incontinence? There are many possible causes. Most common are constipation, diarrhea, and muscle or nerve damage. Normal bowel movements are controlled by a complex mechanism that depends on functioning muscles and nerves of the colon and rectum. If any of these elements aren't functioning well, the result may be incontinence.
The most common cause of fecal incontinence, especially in the elderly, is a severe form of constipation called fecal impaction. Fecal impaction means a large mass of dry, hard stool in the rectum that can't be pushed out. As a result, the muscles of the rectum stretch and weaken. Watery stool from higher in the bowel starts leaking out around the hardened stool.
Diarrhea is one of the most common causes that can lead to an involuntary loss of liquid stool. It can be caused by temporary problems such as food reactions or chronic conditions like IBS and Crohn's disease.
Damage to the anal sphincter muscles that is most commonly caused by childbirth of anal surgery can also lead to incontinence. When damaged, these muscles are not strong enough to keep the stool inside.
Problems with nerves that control the anal sphincter or those that sense stool in the rectum can also cause incontinence. They can be damaged by childbirth, stroke and diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord tumors.
Many people with fecal incontinence think that nothing can help them. And because it's still a taboo subject, they don't like to talk about it, not even with a doctor. It's important to understand that fecal incontinence is a treatable condition.
About the Author:
Margaret Rudd is a health practitioner who writes about different health issues. To learn more about bowel incontinence visit loss of bowel control. For urinary incontinence see urinary incontinence.
