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Fecal incontinence is a medical condition, in which loss of control over bowel movement occurs. Fecal incontinence may happen briefly when hard stool becomes lodged in the person’s rectum (called fecal impacting) or during diarrhea bouts. Individuals with dementia, anus tumors, injury to the pelvis during childbirth, injury to the spinal cord or anus, diabetes, neurologic injuries, or rectal prolapse may develop chronic fecal incontinence. A physician examines an individual for any neurologic and structural abnormalities that can cause this disorder. The examination may involve rectum and anus exam, performing a sigmoidoscopy (checking the sigmoid colon with a flexible viewing tube), and checking the extent of sensations around the person’s anus. Other tests such as function examination of the muscles and nerve lining the person’s pelvis, can be required. The first step in treatment of fecal incontinence is establishing a normal bowel movement pattern that produces well-formed stool. Changes in diet such as adding small amounts of fibers may be helpful. If these changes fail, a medication that slows movement of the bowel, such as Loperamide, can help. Exercising the sphincters (anal muscles) increases the muscle strength and tone and helps prevent fecal incontinence from reoccurring. Using biofeedback, an individual may refrain the anal muscles and increase the rectum sensitivity to the presence of stool. Approx. 70% of well-motivated individuals benefit from biofeedback. If the disorder persists, operation can help in some cases – for example, when fecal incontinence is caused by anatomic anus defect or injuries to the anus. As a last resort, surgery called colostomy (the surgical creation of an opening between the abdominal wall and large intestine) can be done. The person’s anus is sewn shut, and the patient is defecated into a plastic removable bag attached to the abdominal opening.
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