Fecal incontinence
Description of the disease
Symptoms
Fecal incontinence refers to the involuntary removal of gas or feces. Multiple factors can cause this condition, including structural changes in the anus, neurological diseases, cognitive and behavioral disorders, changes in stool consistency, and overall disability. This common condition affects about 10% of the population, especially elderly individuals.
Causes and Risk Factors
- Anal Structural Changes: Damage or weakening of the anal sphincter muscles.
- Neurological Diseases: Conditions that affect nerve function, such as multiple sclerosis or spinal cord injuries.
- Cognitive and Behavioral Disorders: Impairments that reduce control over bowel movements.
- Changes in Stool Consistency: Diarrhea or chronic constipation.
- Overall Disability: Reduced mobility and other physical limitations.
Fecal incontinence often arises after obstetric trauma, such as deliveries using forceps or when delivering a newborn weighing more than 4 kg.
Treatment Options
- Surgical Treatments: These include restoring the anal sphincter and forming a neosphincter.
Source | Author Doctor Nikas Samuolis, reviewed by Prof. Virginijus Šapoka | Vilnius University | Faculty of Medicine | Head of the Department of Internal Medicine, Family Medicine, and Oncology