Poor diet and lack of exercise are usually the cause. In most cases, constipation is temporary and not serious. Increasing fiber in the diet, drinking more liquids and exercising regularly alleviates most cases of constipation. Fecal Incontinence Fecal incontinence is the loss of normal control of the bowels, which leads to stool leaking from the rectum at unexpected times. As many as one million people in the U.S. are affected.
Fecal incontinence is more common in women than men.
Most cases of fecal incontinence are caused by damage to the sphincter muscle. In women, damage commonly occurs during childbirth, especially in a difficult delivery involving forceps or an episiotomy. Muscle damage can also occur as the result of rectal surgery, inflammatory bowel disease or an abscess in the perirectal area. Other causes of fecal incontinence are damage to the nerves that control the anal muscle or that are responsible for rectal sensation and reduction in the elasticity of the rectum. Medical tests can pinpoint the cause of fecal incontinence and help determine the course of therapy.