Refers to the involuntary loss of flatus or feces.
Fecal incontinence, also known as bowel incontinence.
It refers to is the inability to control bowel movements, resulting in involuntary leakage of stool from the rectum.
It can range from occasional leakage of small amounts of stool to complete loss of bowel control.
Fecal incontinence can be caused by a variety of factors:
Weakness or damage to the muscles in the rectum or anal sphincter can lead to fecal incontinence: This can occur due to childbirth, pelvic surgery, or nerve damage.
Nerve damage due to diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or spinal cord injuries can damage the nerves that control bowel function, leading to fecal incontinence.
Chronic constipation weakening the muscles in the rectum and lead to fecal incontinence.
Chronic diarrhea can also contribute to fecal incontinence by making it difficult to control bowel movements.
Rectal prolapse
Present in approximately 4% of women and 2% of men.
Common in women after vaginal delivery secondary to sphincter damage.
Occurs in 29-48% of women between 3 months and 3 years after primary sphincter repair.
Fecal occult blood testing on an annual basis decreases the incidence of colorectal cancer of up to 33%.