Bowel health

About fecal incontinence

What causes loss of bowel control and what can help.

Fecal incontinence is loss of control over bowel movements. Diarrhea is a short-term loss of bowel control and can happen to anyone as an isolated event. Some people experience constant loss of gas (flatus) without awareness, which is called anal (gas) incontinence. Loss of bowel control can also result from:

• Childbirth or traumatic injury to the rectal area
• Irritation or infection of the rectum, anus, or surrounding area
• Spinal cord injury
• A brain condition such as head injury, stroke, or coma
• Chronic constipation, which can stretch and weaken the muscles of the rectum and intestines
• Alzheimer’s disease or other dementias

Treatment options depend on the cause

Many people benefit from behavioral techniques and exercise, including:

• Exercises for the sphincters and pelvic floor muscles
• Learning proper bowel health maintenance
• Proper toileting positioning
• Dietary factor management
• Bowel retraining and learning control techniques

Surgery

Surgery may be needed to repair the muscle at the opening of the rectum. Another type of surgery is a colostomy, which attaches part of the colon to an opening in the wall of the abdomen. Bowel movements then pass through this opening instead of the rectum and are collected in a bag outside the body.

Medication

A person can usually control stool better when it is firm rather than loose or liquid. Sometimes taking medications to change the consistency of the stool can provide relief. Over-the-counter anti-diarrhea medications include Imodium, and prescription medications include Lomotil. Discuss these with your physician before use.