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.
Constipation is the most common cause, especially in older adults. It can lead to a condition called fecal impaction. This is a severe form of constipation in which a large amount of stool accumulates in the rectum and interferes with the normal bowel movements. Liquid stool from higher in the bowel leaks out around the hardened stool.
Chronic diarrhea can also cause bowel incontinence, because liquid stool is more difficult to control. Diarrhea may be caused by infection, diet, irritable bowel, medications, Crohn's disease, etc. In many cases it can be successfully treated.
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.
Constipation is the most common cause, especially in older adults. It can lead to a condition called fecal impaction. This is a severe form of constipation in which a large amount of stool accumulates in the rectum and interferes with the normal bowel movements. Liquid stool from higher in the bowel leaks out around the hardened stool.
Chronic diarrhea can also cause bowel incontinence, because liquid stool is more difficult to control. Diarrhea may be caused by infection, diet, irritable bowel, medications, Crohn's disease, etc. In many cases it can be successfully treated.
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 fecal incontinence visit fecal Incontinence. For urinary incontinence take a look at what causes urinary incontinence.
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