drinking water and eating fibre can help with fecal incontinence

it might seem embarrassing, but about 3.5 million canadians experience some form of incontinence.

by dave yasvinski

published nov 17, 2022

4 minute read

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4 minute read

join the conversation

how do i know if i have fecal incontinence?

fecal incontinence can be difficult and even embarrassing to discuss with a health professional. getty

fecal incontinence, sometimes known as bowel or anal incontinence, refers to the involuntary loss of stool from the bowel. the condition, which can vary in intensity from occasional leakage to the complete loss of bowel control, is not as common as urinary incontinence but the toll it takes on quality of life can be devastating. there are a wide range of medical conditions that can give rise to fecal incontinence, including constipation, diarrhea, muscle or nerve damage (from childbirth or surgery) and reduced elasticity (from aging). although occasional soiling is experienced by around 20 per cent of people, according to the canadian continence foundation, a complete loss of bowel control is far less common, occurring in less than one per cent of people younger than the age of 65. the condition is three times more likely to occur in younger women than men until around the age of 65, when both genders begin to experience incontinence at about the same rate. between four and seven per cent of people over the age of 65 are affected.

fecal incontinence can be difficult and even embarrassing to discuss with a health professional but broaching the subject can open up access to a variety of treatments that generally improve quality of life for patients.

symptoms of fecal incontinence

there are two types of fecal incontinence, according to healthline: urge fecal incontinence and passive fecal incontinence. with urge incontinence, people are aware they need to have a bowel movement but are unable to reach a bathroom in time. with passive incontinence, people are unaware they needed to use a toilet until poop (or mucus) has exited the anus.

for some people, fecal incontinence happens when someone’s experiencing other bowel issues, including diarrhea, constipation and bloating, but for others, it can be much more common. you should contact a doctor if you are experiencing frequent or severe symptoms that are having a negative impact on your quality of life.

diagnosing fecal incontinence

a doctor will typically inquire about symptoms and perform a physical examination when investigating a potential case of fecal incontinence. according to the mayo clinic, this usually involves an inspection of the anus, often with a probe that can evaluate any nerve damage in the area. a series of other tests may be recommended, including:

digital rectal exam — a doctor or health provider inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into a patient’s anus to check the strength of rectal muscles and look for any abnormalities, such as rectal prolapse
balloon expulsion test — a small balloon is inserted in the rectum and filled with water. if a patient is unable to expel the balloon within a few minutes, there may be a defecation disorder
anal manometry — a narrow tube is inserted into the anus and rectum to measure tightness and function
anorectal ultrasonography — a narrow instrument that uses high-energy soundwaves is inserted into the anus and rectum to produce images of the area
proctography — a special toilet that takes x-rays during a bowel movement is used to evaluate function
colonoscopy — a flexible tube is inserted into the rectum to provide a better look at the colon
mri — used to provide information on the sphincter muscles that control the movement of substances, such as bile, urine and feces, through the body

treating fecal incontinence

treatment usually involves a combination of medication and other therapies, depending on the nature of the incontinence. options include:

medications — fibre supplements, antidiarrheal drugs, laxatives or stool softeners help slow the movement of food through the digestive system and improve stool consistency
dietary changes — helps reduce incontinence by improving stool consistency
bowel training — can restore muscle strength and make bowel movements more predictable
sacral nerve stimulation — a small implanted device sends electrical impulses that strengthen bowel muscles
bulking agents — helps prevent leakage by thickening the walls of the anus
surgery — a series of procedures, including sphincter repair/replacement and surgery for rectal prolapse, are available to address certain causes of incontinence

preventing fecal incontinence

there are a few dietary changes you can make that may help reduce your chances of suffering from incontinence. these include:

food diary — keeping track of what you eat and drink can help you make the connection between certain foods and subsequent symptoms of diarrhea, gas or incontinence
upping your fibre intake — fibre helps soften stools and make them easier to control
drink more water — drinking at least eight glasses of water a day will help keep stools soft and formed

prevalence of fecal incontinence

it is estimated that around 10 per cent of the canadian population, or 3.5 million people, experiences some form of incontinence, be it urinary or fecal. the condition is believed to be more common in women than men, largely because of the consequences of child-bearing and other factors specific to women.

support for fecal incontinence

you can find more news, information and helpful resources at the canadian continence foundation.

dave yasvinski is a writer at healthing.

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dave yasvinski

drinking water and eating fibre can help with fecal incontinence

it might seem embarrassing, but about 3.5 million canadians experience some form of incontinence.

as told to: my life with hirschsprung disease and bowel incontinence