Curated Content
Published at Health In Aging
Fecal incontinence is the inability to control bowel movements, causing stool (feces) to leak unexpectedly from the rectum. Also called bowel incontinence, fecal incontinence ranges from an occasional leakage of stool while passing gas to a complete loss of bowel control.
Common causes of fecal incontinence include diarrhea, constipation, and muscle or nerve damage. Muscle or nerve damage may be associated with aging or with giving birth.
Care & Treatment
Depending on what is causing or contributing to fecal incontinence, your healthcare provider may recommend one or more of the following:
- Diet
- Medications
- Pelvic floor muscle exercises
- Bowel “training”
- Surgery
- A combination of the above
Read the full article at Health in Aging.
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