Digestive Diseases: Bowel Incontinence
Introduction to Bowel IncontinenceBowel or fecal incontinence is the loss of voluntary control of stool, or bowel movements. This condition can vary from being partial, in which a person loses only a small amount of liquid waste, to complete, in which the entire solid bowel movement cannot be controlled. Bowel incontinence affects more than 5.5 million Americans. Both men and women suffer from this problem, though it is more common in women because of injury to the anal muscles or nerves that can occur during childbirth. Bowel incontinence becomes more common with advancing age as the muscles that control bowel movements (anal sphincter muscles) weaken. Often, embarrassment and the stigma associated with incontinence prevent people from seeking treatment, even when incontinence affects his or her quality of life. Many people resort to altering their social and physical activities, even their employment, to cope with the problem. In addition, some people with bowel incontinence do not see a doctor because they just don't realize that their problem can be effectively treated. It's important to understand that bowel incontinence is not uncommon and can be successfully treated. What Causes Bowel Incontinence?Normal control of bowel movements depends on proper functioning of the colon and rectum, the muscles surrounding the anus (anal sphincter muscles), the brain and the body's nerves (the nervous system), plus the amount and consistency of waste products produced. There are many causes of bowel incontinence, including:
|
Suggested Reading on Fecal Incontinence by Our Doctors
-
Related Diseases & Conditions
7 articles-
Pinched Nerve
- A pinched nerve can be caused of a variety of conditions, for example, carpal tunnel syndrome, herniated disc, sciatica, arthritis, spinal stenosis, trauma, and more. Common symptoms of a pinched nerve include pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness. Treatment of a pinched nerve depends on the cause of the pinched nerve.
-
Dementia
- Dementia is a significant loss of intellectual abilities such as memory capacity, severe enough to interfere with social or occupational functioning. There are different criteria classification schemes for dementias such as cortical, subcortical, progressive, primary, and secondary dementias. Other conditions and medication reactions can also cause dementia. Dementia is diagnosed based on a certain set of criteria. Treatment for dementia is generally focused on the symptoms of the disease.
-
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- Lumbar stenosis can be caused by degenerative arthritis (the most common cause), tumor, infection, or metabolic disorders (Paget's disease of the bone). Symptoms include low back pain, weakness, pain, numbness, and loss of sensation in the legs. Other conditions may cause similar symptoms of lumbar stenosis, including diabetic neuropathy, claudication, and peripheral vascular disease. Diagnosis, is a medical history and imaging studies. Lumbar stenosis may be treated with medication or surgery.
-
Cauda Equina Syndrome
- Cauda equina syndrome is a medical emergency condition that is caused by the uncommon compression of the nerves at the end of the spinal cord. Symptoms of cauda equina syndrome include lower back pain, tingling and/or numbness in the buttocks and lower extremities, bowel or bladder incontinence, and weakness in the legs. Causes of cauda equina syndrome include herniated discs, hematomas, or infection. Treatment is generally prompt surgery.
-
The Digestive System
- Digestion is the complex process of turning food you eat into the energy you need to survive. The digestive process also involves creating waste to be eliminated, and is made of a series of muscles that coordinate the movement of food.
-
Neuromyelitis Optica
- Neuromyelitis optica (Devic's syndrome) is a disease of the CNS that affects the optic nerves and spinal cord. People with neuromyelitis optica develop optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. There is no cure for neuromyelitis optica; however, there are therapies to treat attacks when they occur.
-
Alzheimer's Disease Patient Caregiver Guide
- Caring for a loved one or patient with Alzheimer's can become a difficult and overwhelming task at times. This guide helps caregivers of individual's with Alzheimer's deal with communicating, bathing, and dressing; as well as problem solving with incontinence, sleeping, wandering; and coping with difficulties Alzheimer's patients present.
-
Pinched Nerve
-
Medications
0 articles -
Procedures & Tests
2 articles -
Pictures, Images & Quizzes
0 articles -
Doctor's & Expert's Views
2 articles -
Health News
4 articles -
Health Features
0 articles
