Am I At Risk Of Getting Fecal Incontinence?

Are you 65 or older?

Are you a woman who has given birth, have you had an episiotomy, or have forceps been used during delivery?

If you are a woman, do you have a rectocele (a condition where the rectum protrudes through the vagina)?

Have you had surgery to treat enlarged veins in the rectum or anus (hemorrhoids), or any other operations involving the rectum and anus?

Do you constantly strain during bowel movements?

Do you have inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis)?

Do you have diabetes, multiple sclerosis, spinal cord injury, or have you survived a stroke?

Do you have chronic constipation?

Do you have diarrhea?

Do you have hemorrhoids?

Do you have dementia?

Do you have rectal prolapse (a condition in which your rectum descends into your anus)?

Based on your answers you have a low risk of getting fecal incontinence. Fecal incontinence is a medical condition characterized by the inability to control bowel movements, resulting in involuntary leakage of feces from the rectum. It is more common in the elderly, as well as those who have abnormal bowel movements, whether it is diarrhea or chronic constipation. Chronic constipation leads to the formation of dry and hard stool in the rectum, which over time can result in stretching and weakening of the rectal muscles. For this reason, watery stools can pass around the hard fecal mass in the intestines and inadvertently come out of the rectum.

Based on your answers you have a moderate risk of getting fecal incontinence. Fecal incontinence is a condition that refers to the unintentional leakage of stool from your rectum. It is more common in women than in men. It is especially common in women who have had difficult deliveries (episiotomy or use of forceps during delivery) that could have damaged the rectal muscles. Fecal incontinence is also common in people who have hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids prevent the anus from closing completely, which can contribute to stool leakage. Fecal incontinence is a condition that can greatly affect your quality of life, so talk to your doctor about any concerns.

Based on your answers you have a high risk of getting fecal incontinence. Fecal incontinence is a type of pelvic floor disorder in which you are unable to retain stool. It can occur as a side effect of hemorrhoid surgery, but also of some more complex operations on the rectum and anus, which can cause damage to muscles and nerves in that area. Also, the nerve damage in the rectum can be caused by diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Normally, the rectum must be stretched to receive stool. If for some reason (surgery, inflammatory bowel disease) the rectum cannot stretch as much as needed, the stool can leak out.