Q. What are the different causes of fecal incontinence?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
Fecal incontinence, or fecal leakage, occurs when the muscles around the rectum become weak and cannot hold the stool in place. This can be caused by a number of different factors including:
1) childbirth - Childbirth can cause pelvic floor muscle damage, leading to weakened muscles and fecal incontinence later in life.
2) Medical conditions - Certain medical condition such as irritable bowel syndrome, colitis, Crohn's disease, diabetes and multiple sclerosis can all weaken pelvic floor muscles resulting in loss of control over your bowels. Other health issues like an enlarged prostate or severe constipation may also contribute to fecal incontinence.
3) Lifestyle Habits - Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as inadequate dietary fiber intake or excessive consumption of alcohol and caffeine have been linked to an increase risk of developing fecal incontinence due to their weakening effect on rectal sphincter control. Poor posture while sitting for extended periods is another potential contributing factor.
4) Medications – Many medications like opioids and muscle relaxants may lead to frequent loose stools which will reduce your ability to contain your bowel movements thus increasing likelihood for unwanted leakage.
By understanding what causes fecal incontinence you are one step closer on finding out how you can manage it better before talking with a healthcare professional about available treatments options that best fits your individual needs!
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