Reasons of fecal incontinence

It is estimated that over 5. 5 million Americans suffer from fecal incontinence. It can have a devastating effect and the patient might face social isolation and embarrassment. It is more prevalent in women than in men with 13 out of every 1,000 women experiencing loss of bowel control.

Older people are more vulnerable to this condition than young folks. Common causes of fecal incontinence include constipation, diarrhea, and muscle or nerve damage. Anal sphincter might get weak with age or during child birth, which could also result in fecal incontinence.

Bowel incontinence is caused mainly due to constipation, which makes the muscles of anus weak and the sphincter muscles fail to close the rectum tightly, which in turn results in the seepage of stool.

Weak intestinal muscles aggravate constipation by slowing down bowels further. The nerves of the anal region tend to be less responsive to the presence of stool in the rectum due to the stretching of the anal and intestinal muscles.

Excretion is a complex process that involves the muscular activities of the rectum and the anus apart from the nervous system. The person should have a perfect physical and psychological state to recognize and respond the instinct to excrete. Alcohol intoxication might cause mental imbalance and nerve weakness, which in the long run might lead to fecal incontinence.

In normal conditions, the rectum can stretch to hold stool till you reach the toilet. But inflammatory bowel disease would make the walls of the rectum lose its elasticity making them unable to retain the stool.

Cervical spondylosis is caused due to the degeneration of the cervical spine including the cervical disks and joints between the bones of the cervical spine. This might put pressure on the nerve roots resulting in pain in the neck and arm, loss of feel and weakness. In later stages the spinal cord also gets compressed which in turn results in loss of control of bowels.

Though advanced stages of bowel incontinence might require surgery for Sphincter repair, this condition could be managed effectively by making dietary changes. You should avoid using alcohol, milk products and caffeine as they are primary causative agents of diarrhea. It is better to avoid additives such as nutmeg and sorbitol.

Include fiber rich food items like whole grains, bran etc. Rice, banana, and yogurt also help to thicken the stool. Prefer smaller meals and space your meals properly Drink lots of liquids a sit helps the easy passage of food through the digestive system.