ONE BIG PROBLEM, TWO BIG ISSUES

Let’s break down the two issues. 

BOWEL INCONTINENCE: This happens when fecal matter leaks out of the rectum. The condition can range from an occasional problem caused by diarrhea or passing gas to a total inability to control bowel movements.

Fortunately, the condition is relatively rare in most healthy adults, experienced only during an occasional bout with the runs.  But others have chronic incontinence, and can’t control any bowel movements, including passing gas or stools. These people find it hard to make it to the toilet in time to prevent an accident. A wide range of conditions, including diarrhea, constipation, bloating and gas, can accompany bowel incontinence.  

Here are the issues associated with the condition:

1.     Muscle and nerve damage. The rings of nerves at the end of the rectum can tell if there is stool in the rectum. If those are damaged, or the ring of muscles that control the anal sphincter are stretched or damaged, it can lead to bowel incontinence. Diseases like diabetes and multiple sclerosis can affect this group of nerves.  

2.    Constipation. If someone is chronically constipated, he or she may develop a mass of dry, hard stool in the rectum area. This is called impacted stool, and it becomes too large to pass. The muscles try to stretch to accommodate the stubborn stool but eventually become weakened, allowing stool from further up the intestinal tract to leak out.