There is no globally accepted definition, but fecal incontinence is generally defined as the recurrent inability to voluntarily control the passage of bowel contents ...FecalincontinenceFromWikipedia,thefreeencyclopediaJumptonavigationJumptosearchInabilitytorefrainfromdefecationFecalincontinenceOthernamesFaecalincontinence,bowelincontinence,analincontinence,accidentalbowelleakageDiagramshowingnormalanatomyofanalcanalandrectum.SpecialtyGastroenterology Fecalincontinence(FI),orinsomeformsencopresis,isalackofcontroloverdefecation,leadingtoinvoluntarylossofbowelcontents,bothliquidstoolelementsandmucus,orsolidfeces.Whenthislossincludesflatus(gas)itisreferredtoasanalincontinence.FIisasignorasymptom,notadiagnosis.Incontinencecanresultfromdifferentcausesandmightoccurwitheitherconstipationordiarrhea.Continenceismaintainedbyseveralinterrelatedfactors,includingtheanalsamplingmechanism,andusuallythereismorethanonedeficiencyofthesemechanismsforincontinencetodevelop.Themostcommoncausesarethoughttobeimmediateordelayeddamagefromchildbirth,complicationsfromprioranorectalsurgery(especiallyinvolvingtheanalsphinctersorhemorrhoidalvascularcushions),alteredbowelhabits(e.g.,causedbyirritablebowelsyndrome,Crohn'sdisease,ulcerativecolitis,foodintolerance,orconstipationwithoverflowincontinence),[1]andreceptiveanalsex.[2][3][4]Anestimated2.2%ofcommunitydwellingadultsareaffected.[5]Fecalincontinencehasthreemainconsequences:localreactionsoftheperianalskinandurinarytract,includingmaceration(softeningandwhiteningofskinduetocontinuousmoisture),urinarytractinfections,ordecubitusulcers(pressuresores);[1]afinancialexpenseforindividuals(duetocostofmedicationandincontinenceproducts,andlossofproductivity),employers(daysoff),andmedicalinsurersandsocietygenerally(healthcarecosts,unemployment);[1]andanassociateddecreaseinqualityoflife.[6]Thereisoftenreducedself-esteem,shame,humiliation,depression,aneedtoorganizelifearoundeasyaccesstoatoiletandavoidanceofenjoyableactivities.[1]FIisanexampleofastigmatizedmed