Bowel Incontinence

Overview

Bowel incontinence, also known as fecal incontinence, is a condition that occurs when a person has difficulty controlling their bowel movements, leading to involuntary leakage of stool. Bowel incontinence can be caused by a variety of factors, including damage to the nerves that control the bowel, diarrhea, constipation, and certain medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease. Symptoms can range from mild occasional leakage to complete loss of bowel control. Treatment options include dietary changes, medication, bowel retraining exercises, and surgery in some cases. It is important to talk to a healthcare provider about bowel incontinence to determine the underlying cause and develop an appropriate treatment plan.