Bowel Incontinence
Overview
Bowel incontinence is the involuntary soiling when one is unable to control bowel movements.
Causes
The most common cause of bowel incontinence is damage to the muscles or nerves around the anus.
- Nerve or muscle damage
- Chronic constipation
- Faecal impaction
- Colectomy or bowel surgery
- Diarrhoea
- Prolapsed haemorrhoids or rectum
Signs & Symptoms
Detection & Treatment
A number of tests are available to help identify the cause of bowel incontinence:
- Digital rectal exam
- Anal manometry
- Anorectal ultrasonography
- Proctography
- Proctosigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy
- Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
Most people with bowel incontinence can be helped or cured. Treatment can lessen symptoms in most cases.
Speak to your doctor today to get support for bowel incontinence.
Additional Resources
Specialties & Services
