How does bowel continence work?
The ability to hold stool is called continence and requires the rectum, anus and nervous system to be working normally and in a synchronised manner.
Stool is held in the rectum by two muscle groups, the internal and external anal sphincters. These muscles surround the anus and rectum and when contracted can stop the passage of stool.
Normal continence also requires the ability to sense the presence of stool in the rectum (called rectal sensation) and to store stool (called rectal compliance).
What is faecal incontinence?
Faecal incontinence is the inability to control your bowel movements, which may have bothersome consequences. You may experience unexpected small or large leaks, use the bathroom very frequently, or have incontrollable urges to use the toilet. Some people experience a combination of these symptoms.
Is it common?
Faecal incontinence is more common than you’d expect, and it affects both men and women. Prevalence increases with age, but faecal incontinence is not confined to the elderly: one study showed 6.6% of individuals are affected by it1.
Experienced as a legitimate handicap, it puts patients in real distress, considerably altering their quality of life3.
What are the symptoms?
Accidents, or faecal leakage outside of severe diarrhea
Inability to hold gas
Inability to control when and how often to use the toilet
Difficulty reaching the toilet in time
Diagnosis
Incontinence is treatable, you don't have to face it alone. Explore the following sections to find out more about faecal incontinence and existing solutions.
Talk to your doctor about your symptoms and how they affect your daily life. Your doctor will make a diagnosis based on your symptoms.
References:
- Giebel, G. D., Lefering, R., Troidl, H. & Blöchl, H. Prevalence of fecal incontinence: what can be expected? Int. J. Colorectal Dis.13, 73–7 (1998).
- Eurostat Data Explorer for EU28: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/data/database.
- Meyer I, Richter HE. Impact of fecal incontinence and its treatment on quality of life in women. Womens Health (Lond). 2015 Mar;11(2):225-38. doi: 10.2217/whe.14.66. PMID: 25776296; PMCID: PMC4394646.).
- Continence Health Australia. (n.d.). Bowel Health. Retrieved from https://www.continence.org.au/continence-health/bowel