Fecal incontinence is the decreased ability to control gas or stool. The severity of symptoms range from mild expulsion of gas to a serious loss of control. It is a common problem affecting 1% to 60% of the population. Fecal incontinence is a distressing condition that can interfere with the ability to work, enjoy social activities, and is a frequent reason for placement in a nursing home. Despite fecal incontinence being a common condition, people are uncomfortable discussing this problem with family, friends, or doctors. They often suffer in silence, not knowing that help is available.

There are many causes of fecal incontinence. The most common cause is injury during childbirth. This injury may be muscle separation, decrease in muscle strength, or injury to the nerves supplying the anal muscles. This injury may go unnoticed and not become a problem until later in life. Other causes of fecal incontinence include anal infections, scarring from inflammatory bowel disease, traumatic injury to the anal muscles from accidents or prior surgery, impaction from constipation, prolapsing from pelvic organs, diminished muscle strength, or nerve damage from a direct injury or from a disease that affects the nerves such as diabetes mellitus or multiple sclerosis.

Treatment of fecal incontinence varies depending on the source of the problem. Mild fecal incontinence may be treated with simple dietary changes, changes in current medications, and/or the use of medications that solidifies stool. In other cases, exercises to strengthen muscles or biofeedback to help patients sense when stool is ready to be evacuated can help. Treatment of diseases that cause inflammation in the rectum may eliminate or improve symptoms of incontinence. Injury to anal muscles may be repaired with surgery, treated with artificial devices (artificial bowel sphincter), or with the latest techniques.

The Michigan Bowel Control Program is designed to help people suffering with this common and life-altering condition. A simple phone call or click of a mouse can get you started on the road to recovering your life.