Bowel Incontinence

Contents of this Article

What is Bowel Incontinence?
Causes of Bowel Incontinence
How is Bowel Incontinence Diagnosed?
Treatment For Bowel Incontinence

What to Do About Anal Discomfort
How to Cope With Your Feelings About Bowel Incontinence
Everyday Practical Tips About Bowel Incontinence

If Your Child Has Bowel Incontinence
Why Children Get Constipated
For More Information About Bowel Incontinence

What is Bowel Incontinence?

Bowel incontinence, also called fecal incontinence, is the inability to control your bowels. When you feel the urge to have a bowel movement, you may not be able to hold it until you get to the bathroom. Or, stool may leak from the rectum unexpectedly, sometimes while passing flatulence (gas). Urinary incontinence, a separate topic, is the inability to control the passage of urine.

More than 5.5 million Americans have bowel incontinence. It affects people of all ages, children and adults. Bowel incontinence is more common in women and older adults, but it is not a normal part of aging.

Loss of bowel control can be devastating. People who have bowel incontinence may feel ashamed, embarrassed, or humiliated. Some don't want to leave the house out of fear they might have an accident in public. Most try to hide the problem as long as possible, so they withdraw from friends and family. The social isolation is unfortunate but may be reduced with treatment that improves bowel control and makes incontinence easier to manage.

Anatomy of the rectum and anus

References:
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC)
July 2007
digestive.niddk.nih.gov

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The information discussed above is a general overview and does not include all the facts, or include everything there is to know about any medicine and/or products mentioned. Do not use any medicine and/or products without first talking to your doctor. Possible side effects of medications, other than those listed, may occur. Other brand names or generic forms of this medicine may also be available. If you have questions or concerns, or want more information, your doctor or pharmacist has the complete prescribing information about this medicine and possible drug interactions.