Understanding Bowel Incontinence: Causes, Symptoms & Solutions

Bowel incontinence, also known as fecal incontinence, is a condition that causes a loss of control of bowel movements. The extent of this can range in severity from a slight leakage to losing complete control of the bowels. In any case, here are a few of the conditions that can cause it.

Constipation

• When there is a large, impacted stool in the colon, this can stretch the muscles in the digestive tract, which can allow watery stool to escape around them and lead to incontinence.

Age

• As people age, the muscles inside the digestive tract naturally become weaker, which can cause bowel incontinence.

Prolapse

• Rectal prolapse is a condition where the rectum falls down into the anus, which may lead to incontinence.

Diarrhea

• When diarrhea is present, stools become very loose and hard to control, which can cause incontinence.

Laxatives

• Laxatives are used to treat constipation. But if they are used for too long, incontinence can result.