OverviewFecal incontinence is not being able to control bowel movements. Stool leaks from the rectum without warning. Fecal incontinence ranges from an occasional leakage of stool while passing gas to a complete loss of bowel control. Fecal incontinence is sometimes called bowel incontinence. Show
Common causes of fecal incontinence include diarrhea, constipation, and muscle or nerve damage. The muscle or nerve damage may be associated with aging or with giving birth. Whatever the cause, fecal incontinence can be difficult to discuss. But don't shy away from talking to your doctor about this common problem. Treatments can improve fecal incontinence and your quality of life. Products & Services
SymptomsFecal incontinence may occur during an occasional bout of diarrhea. But for some people, fecal incontinence happens a lot. People with this condition may not be able to stop the urge to defecate. It may come on so suddenly that you can'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. Fecal incontinence may happen with other bowel problems, such as:
When to see a doctorSee your health care provider if you or your child develops fecal incontinence. This is especially important if it happens a lot, is severe or causes emotional distress. Often, people are too embarrassed to tell a provider about fecal incontinence. But the sooner you're evaluated, the sooner you may find some relief from your symptoms. Sign up for free,
and stay up to date on research advancements, health tips and current health topics, like COVID-19, plus expertise on managing health. To provide you with the most relevant and helpful information, and understand which information is beneficial, we may combine your email and website usage information with other information we have about you. If you are a Mayo Clinic patient, this could include protected health information. If we combine this information with your protected health information, we will treat all of that information as protected health information and will only use or disclose that information as set forth in our notice of privacy practices. You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. CausesFor many people, there is more than one cause of fecal incontinence. Causes can include:
Risk factorsA number of factors may increase your risk of developing fecal incontinence, including:
ComplicationsComplications of fecal incontinence may include:
PreventionDepending on the cause, it may be possible to improve or prevent fecal incontinence. These actions may help:
Fecal incontinence care at Mayo Clinic Nov. 03, 2022
RelatedAssociated ProceduresProducts & ServicesWhich drug categories are known to exacerbate constipation?8 medications that cause constipation. Opioid pain relievers.. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Antihistamines.. Tricyclic antidepressants.. Urinary incontinence medications.. Iron supplements.. Blood pressure medications.. Anti-nausea medications.. Which blood pressure medications cause constipation?Calcium-channel blockers, such as diltiazem (Cardizem). These drugs relax the smooth muscles in blood vessels to lower blood pressure. But they also relax the muscles in the gut and may cause constipation.
Can NSAIDs cause constipation?Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve), have the potential to cause constipation. These medications are usually used as needed to treat pain, fever, and inflammation. But in some cases, they can be used consistently.
Does ibuprofen cause constipation?Common side effects of ibuprofen include: nausea or vomiting. constipation or diarrhoea. indigestion (dyspepsia) or abdominal pain.
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