Fecal Incontinence

Fecal incontinence is not only very embarrassing, but is a significant inconvenience! This is when one cannot hold a bowel movement in, and the result is an accident, with stool either staining, or completely ruining ones clothing. 

The reasons for incontinence are: 

• Weak rectal muscles, due to a prior injury to the rectum, such as after a difficult delivery causing muscle tears of the rectum, or due to other neurological injury such as spinal cord trauma that affects the nerves that innervate the rectal musculature.   

• Weak rectal muscular tone that occurs with the aging process. 

• Weakened rectal muscles plus loose bowel movements, or an irritable or spastic bowel. While there are other esoteric causes, the above reasons cover the majority of clinical cases.

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Frequently the muscles are not too weak to benefit from an alteration in the consistency of the stool, using high fiber diets, supplemental fiber, fluids, and a variety of antispasmodic medications, most people will experience tremendous improvement.  Those few who cannot be helped with conservative measures may require rectal surgery.