Bowel Incontinence
Bowel Incontinence Causes
Constipation stretches and weakens the muscle of the anus making the nerves in the anus less responsive to the presence of stool in the rectum. Diarrhea is characterized by loose stool that is hard to retain in the rectum, therefore causing bowel incontinence. Damage to the anal or rectal muscle and nerve often worsen the condition as well as rectal prolapsed and loss of muscle strength due to age.
Bowel Incontinence Definition
Also known as fecal incontinence is the lack of ability to control bowel movement, which causes stool to seep out from the rectum without warning. The severity can range from occasional stool leakage in combination to passing of gas to total loss of bowel control usually causing embarrassment and withdrawal from social events thinking that sudden stool leakage may occur.
Bowel Incontinence Diagnosis
Physical and visual examination of the anus to check for nerve damage. Digital rectal exam and anal manometry to assess the strength of the sphincter muscle and check for abnormalities in the rectal and anal area.
Bowel Incontinence Symptoms and Signs
Incapacity to control gas or stool passage, whether solid or liquid from the bowels. Urgency is so sudden that sometimes making it to the toilet is not even possible.
Bowel Incontinence Treatment
Medications include anti-diarrheals to trim down diarrhea, laxative to aid in restoration of normal bowel movements, stool-softening medications to avoid stool impaction, and medications that lessen stool water content. Surgery may be necessary for severe damages to anal sphincter muscles.