What is Bowel Incontinence?

Also called fetal incontinence, this is the inability to control the passage of stool. This is as a result of weakening or damage to the muscles around the rectum. This condition can affect anyone of any age but it is more prevalent in mothers who have just given birth and in the aged. For some, the symptoms can be experienced for a short period of time while for those who suffer from chronic fecal incontinence, they might need to seek medical advice. The main symptoms of bowel incontinence are the inability to control bowel movements leading to uncontrolled passage of gas, stool and liquid matter. The other symptom is that the person may not be able to make it to the toilet in time.

Several things can result to bowel incontinence. The most common ones are:

• Childbirth - where the muscles around the anus can be weakened especially after an episiotomy.
  
• Spinal Injury - This can damage the nerves around the rectum making it hard to control bowel movements
  
• Constipation - Chronic constipation can make it hard for stool to pass through therefore, the muscles weaken allowing less solid matter to come out involuntarily.

Some health conditions may also lead to bowel incontinence. These include multiple sclerosis and diabetes.

Bowel incontinence can be very embarrassing and many people may suffer in silence. It can cause a lot of discomfort, distress and loss of self-esteem. A person who is suffering from it may not want to associate with others or even participate in social activities. It is quite understandable that such a person may be withdrawn and spend all the time on their own but they need love and encouragement to seek for treatment.

The good thing is, there are natural remedies and natural health treatments that can be used to control bowel movements. These can be used to revive or strengthen the muscles that control movements of substances from the rectum.

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