Bowel incontinence is a symptom of an underlying problem or medical condition. Many cases are caused by diarrhoea, constipation, or weakening of the muscle that controls the opening of the anus. It can also be caused by long-term conditions such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis and dementia.
You should see a doctor if your fecal incontinence is frequent or severe. Although some people are able to manage mild or infrequent fecal incontinence on their own, you should see a doctor if your fecal incontinence is affecting your quality of life or causing emotional or social distress.
Medical experts consider fecal incontinence a common problem, affecting about 1 in 3 people who see a primary health care provider. Fecal incontinence is more common in older adults. Among adults who are not in hospitals or nursing homes, between 7 and 15 out of 100 have fecal incontinence.
Common causes of fecal incontinence include diarrhea, constipation, and muscle or nerve damage. The muscle or nerve damage may be associated with aging or with giving birth. Whatever the cause, fecal incontinence can be difficult to discuss. But don't shy away from talking to your doctor about this common problem.
In their study of over 16,000 people across 20 years, one team of researchers found that bowel leakage was a marker within the year of developing incontinence for colorectal cancer, other types of gastrointestinal cancers, and lymphoma.
Fecal incontinence can be caused by constipation, diarrhea, or anxiety or other emotional stress. It can also result from nerve injury, muscle damage (especially from childbirth), lack of exercise, or poor diet.
Experts believe that about 1 in 12 adults has fecal incontinence. Although it is not a normal part of getting older, you are more likely to have it as you age. Women are also more at risk for this condition than men are.
Kegel exercises
Strengthening these muscles may help reduce incontinence. To perform Kegel exercises, contract the muscles that you use to stop the flow of urine. Hold the contraction for three seconds, then relax for three seconds. Repeat this pattern 10 times.
eating more high-fibre foods like fruit, vegetables, beans and wholegrain foods (such as wholemeal bread) drinking plenty of fluids, especially water.
If the sphincter muscles are injured or weak from any reason, they are not able to fully close, and this may cause stool to leak out. Constipation or having frequent or loose bowel movements. Frequent loose bowel movements can add to the incontinence. Loose stool can slip through the sphincters easier than hard stool.
Your primary care physician may be able to assist you, or you may need to see a doctor who specializes in treating conditions that affect the colon, rectum and anus, such as a gastroenterologist, proctologist or colorectal surgeon.
Fecal incontinence was reported by 14 to 20% of IBS patients, and it was associated with loose, frequent stools, urgency, and adverse impact on quality of life, psychological symptoms, and work productivity.
Hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower part of the rectum that may come part way out through the anus (the very end of the rectum). This can keep the sphincter muscles from closing completely and stool can leak out.
Independent risk factors in women are advancing age, loose or watery stools, more than 21 stools per week, multiple chronic illnesses, and urinary incontinence. Independent risk factors in men are age, loose or watery stools, poor self-rated health, and urinary incontinence.
If you're having bowel movements more often, chances are you've made some change in your lifestyle. For example, you may be eating more whole grains, which increases fiber intake. More-frequent bowel movements also could be related to a mild illness that will take care of itself.
Avoid foods that increase your risk of bowel incontinence like alcohol and caffeine, prunes and some fruit juices, spicy foods, dairy products, beans, smoked meats, and artificial sweeteners. Then begin to eat more bananas, apple sauce, peanut butter, pasta, potatoes, and cheese. These will slow down and thicken stool.
Diet/Bowel Habit Changes
An excessively high-fiber diet, in addition to caffeine, alcohol, and artificial sweeteners can make involuntary bowel leakage worse.
Systemic Disease, Infections, and Dysbiosis
Diseases and infections can cause the gut lining to loosen, causing leaky gut, which is why we have to keep our immune system healthy and strong and support the gut in many disease states.
It's most likely because you have poop “turtling” inside your anus, so just be patient and let it all come out. And most importantly, level up your wiping materials so you can clean—not smear—the aftermath from your dump.