The most common cause of bowel incontinence is damage to the muscles and nerves that control the rectum and anus. This damage can occur due to a variety of conditions or diseases, including childbirth, chronic constipation, long-term straining, nerve damage, rectal surgery, and weakened pelvic floor muscles. Other causes of bowel incontinence may include inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colorectal cancer, and radiation therapy.
Childbirth can cause damage to the muscles and nerves that control the rectum and anus, resulting in bowel incontinence. This occurs because the pelvic floor muscles can become weakened during childbirth, leading to a loss of tone and control over the rectal and anal muscles.
Chronic constipation can cause damage to the rectal muscles, resulting in a loss of control. Long-term straining to pass stools can cause damage to the pelvic floor muscles, resulting in weakened muscles that can no longer control the rectal and anal muscles.
Nerve damage can also cause bowel incontinence. This type of nerve damage is often caused by diseases such as diabetes, multiple sclerosis, or Parkinson’s disease, but can also be caused by spinal cord injury, stroke, or surgery.
Rectal surgery, such as hemorrhoidectomy or removal of a polyp, can also cause damage to the rectal and anal muscles, resulting in weakened muscles that can no longer control the rectal and anal muscles.
Finally, weakened pelvic floor muscles can cause bowel incontinence. This type of weakened muscle can be caused by aging, excessive weight, or childbirth.
In summary, the most common cause of bowel incontinence is damage to the muscles and nerves that control the rectum and anus, which can be caused by childbirth, chronic constipation, long-term straining, nerve damage, rectal surgery, weakened pelvic floor muscles, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, colorectal cancer, and radiation therapy.
