What do incontinence mean

Rectocele can happen when the thin layer of muscles separating your rectum from your vagina becomes weak. Stool may stay in your rectum because the rectocele makes it harder to push stool out. For children older than age 4, the most common cause of fecal incontinence is constipation with a large amount of stool in the rectum. When this happens, a child may not be able to sense when a new stool is coming into the rectum. The child may not know that he or she needs to have a bowel movement.

A large amount of stool in the rectum can cause the internal anal sphincters to become chronically relaxed, which lets soft stool seep around hard stool in the rectum and leak out.

Birth defects of the anus, rectum, or colon , such as Hirschsprung disease , can cause fecal incontinence in children. These birth defects may weaken pelvic floor muscles or damage nerves in the anus or rectum. Injuries to the nerves in the anus and rectum can also cause fecal incontinence, as can spinal cord injuries and birth defects of the spinal cord.

The NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Whitehead, Ph. The symptoms of fecal incontinence depend on the type. If you have urge fecal incontinence, you will know when you need to pass stool but not be able to control passing stool before reaching a toilet. If you have passive fecal incontinence, you will pass stool or mucus from your anus without knowing it.

When should I see a doctor for fecal incontinence? What causes fecal incontinence in adults? Diarrhea Loose, watery stools from diarrhea fill your rectum quickly and are harder to hold in than solid stools. The muscle or nerve damage may be associated with aging or with giving birth.

Whatever the cause, fecal incontinence can be embarrassing. But don't shy away from talking to your doctor about this common problem. Treatments can improve fecal incontinence and your quality of life. Fecal incontinence may occur temporarily during an occasional bout of diarrhea, but for some people, fecal incontinence is chronic or recurring. People with this condition may be unable to stop the urge to defecate, which comes on so suddenly that they don't make it to the toilet in time.

This is called urge incontinence. Another type of fecal incontinence occurs in people who are not aware of the need to pass stool.

This is called passive incontinence. See your doctor if you or your child develops fecal incontinence, especially if it's frequent or severe, or if it causes emotional distress. Often, people are reluctant to tell their doctors about fecal incontinence. But treatments are available, and the sooner you're evaluated, the sooner you may find some relief from your symptoms.

Depending on the cause, it may be possible to improve or prevent fecal incontinence. These actions may help:. Fecal incontinence care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products.

Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Treatment of incontinence in females. Frawley J, et al.

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Associated Procedures Cystoscopy Ultrasound Urinalysis.