Bowel Incontinence
Bowel incontinence is the lack of a person’s ability to control their own bowel movements. This condition requires the person to use incontinence products at least until the problem is resolved. It is also commonly called fecal or rectal incontinence.
Bowel incontinence may be as minimal as small occasional leakage or as major as complete loss of control. Affecting 10% of the population, it is more common in women due to loss of anal muscle control from childbirth.
Bowel incontinence can result from loss of muscle control of the anus, improper nervous system signals sent to the brain, or inconsistent consistency or the waste. Diet may improve certain types of this kind of incontinence, and other medical treatment may be available. It is important to see a physician to determine if medical treatments or medicine can improve the condition.
Diagnosis usually consists of an endosonographic evaluation, also called a rectal ultrasound, and other procedures used to diagnosis it may include nerve studies, defecography, endoscopy or manometry
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