Fecal incontinence is the inability to control the passage of liquid and/or solid stool. Fecal incontinence ranges from the loss of an entire solid bowel movement in severe cases to the loss of a small amount of liquid waste. While the terms ‘fecal incontinence’ and ‘anal incontinence’ are often used interchangeably, they do not actually carry the same meaning. Fecal incontinence refers specifically to the loss of liquid and/or solid stool, whereas anal incontinence refers more broadly to the loss of liquid, solid, and gaseous matter.

It has been estimated more than 6.5 million Americans have fecal incontinence. Many people with fecal incontinence never report it to their healthcare provider because of embarrassment or because they do not feel anything can be done to help the problem, which is incorrect. If you are experiencing a constant need to have a bowel movement, diarrhea, constipation, or blood in or your stool, it could be an indication of colorectal cancer, a leading cause of death. However colorectal cancer may not show symptoms until advanced stages. For this reason, both men and women at age 50 are encouraged to receive a baseline screen (and earlier for those who have a family history of colorectal cancer).

Recent data suggests that 2.2% of women who have delivered more than one child experience fecal incontinence due to the stress of labor on sphincter muscles. Percentages of fecal incontinence increase to 7% of 65 year-olds in healthy condition and to 23% of all stroke patients. Finally, 33% of elderly people at home or in a hospital experience bowel control problems.

After your healthcare provider’s evaluation and initial recommendations, you may need to see one of the following professionals:

• Gastroenterologist (digestive and intestinal system)
• Urogynecologist (pelvic floor dysfunction in women)
• Colorectal Surgeon (Colon, rectum and anus disease/ disorder)

Causes of fecal incontinence include, but are not limited to: constipation, damage to the anal sphincter muscles or nerves during child delivery, anal surgery, spinal cord injury, stroke, systemic disease (such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson’s disease), rectal prolapse, and chronic diarrhea. Also, fecal incontinence can be drug-induced by the overuse of laxatives or as a side effect of certain medications. It is also closely associated with old age, major depression, urinary incontinence, and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). Symptoms of IBS may include abdominal pain, constipation, diarrhea, gas, and indigestion. Less common symptoms include bleeding, jaundice, nausea and vomiting.