Most of us take it for granted that we can control our bowels. Bowel contents escape. It can occur at any age and may effect one in 20 people. It is certainly more common than was thought some years ago.
Simple tests can often show where the problem is, and treatment is frequently successful.
The bowel contents move along the bowel gradually. These muscles, the nerves supplying them and the sensation felt within the bowel and sphincter all contribute to the sphincter remaining tightly closed. Faecal incontinence occurs most commonly because the anal sphincter is not functioning properly. Damage to the sphincter muscles or to the nerves controlling these muscles, or excessively strong bowel contractions, or alterations to bowel sensation can all lead to this disturbance of function. Males and females of any age may be incontinent, for example children and teenagers - if they are born with an abnormal sphincter or if they have persistent constipation.