Bowel incontinence can be caused by a number of reasons, like diarrhea, constipation, or nerve or muscle damage. Individuals with diseases that affect the central nervous system (for example multiple sclerosis (MS), Parkinson’s disease, spina bifida, stroke, etc.) often have constipation or bowel incontinence. This occurs because there is an interruption to the nerve pathways. If the nerves that control the anal sphincter muscles or those that sense stool are damaged, it can cause constipation or fecal incontinence.
Many different medications can cause bowel incontinence by affecting bowel function, sphincter tone or cognitive awareness. Bowel incontinence can also happen if you have inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis. Both Crohn’s and ulcerative colitis cause diarrhea, which in turn can cause leakages. Loose stool and urgency from the bowel can cause even the strongest pelvic floor to leak if the bathroom is not close enough.
Also, just falling ill can affect bowel continence. An elderly person with a medical disease might be immobile, cognitively impaired and/or experience a loss of appetite and difficulties with drinking enough fluids. All these factors could increase the risk of incontinence.