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Fecal Incontinence

Because of the stigma and embarrassment attached to bathroom problems, fecal incontinence is an underreported condition. At Lone Star Gastroenterology (affiliated with Boston Scientific) in Austin, Texas, board-certified gastroenterologist Rajesh Mehta, MD, and his team offer judgement-free effective treatments for fecal incontinence. To learn more about the condition and find out what’s causing you to lose control of your bowels, call the office today!

Fecal Incontinence Q & A

What is fecal incontinence?

Fecal incontinence, also called bowel incontinence, is a condition that causes you to have difficulty holding in your stool. If you have a mild version, you might notice that a bit of feces comes out when you pass gas. In more severe cases, the condition can cause you to empty your bowels completely with little or no warning.

People with normal continence, or the ability to hold in their stool, have the physical capabilities to know when it’s time to take a trip to the bathroom. If you have the symptoms of fecal incontinence, your Lone Star Gastroenterology provider may perform tests to make sure that your nerves and muscles in your rectum are working normally.

What causes fecal incontinence?

There are several possible causes of fecal incontinence. Your fecal incontinence might have more than one cause, and your physician can help you find out what it is. Here are some common causes of fecal incontinence:


  • Muscle or nerve damage from surgery
  • Muscle or nerve damage from childbirth
  • Rectal prolapse
  • Diarrhea
  • Chronic constipation
  • Hemorrhoids

Fecal incontinence is especially common in people 65 or older because the muscles in your bowels get weaker with time. If you’ve had a treatment like radiation that causes your muscles to stiffen, you might also be at a higher risk of developing fecal incontinence.

What are my treatment options for fecal incontinence?

Your Lone Star Gastroenterology physician provides the most effective and up-to-date treatments for fecal incontinence. Your treatment plan might include:

Medications

Your provider selects your medication based on what’s causing your fecal incontinence. Laxatives can treat constipation-related fecal incontinence, and antidiarrheal drugs can treat diarrhea-related incontinence.

Changes to your diet

Your physician evaluates your diet to determine which foods might be making your condition worse. They might advise you to eat more fiber or cut out fatty, greasy snacks.