Why Fecal Incontinence Happens

Why Fecal Incontinence Happens Dr. Travis Stork: Today, we’re answering the question why is this happening to me, and our next question comes from Frank who lives in Baltimore and he writes, “Dear Doctors, I’m embarrassed to admit this, but recently I attempted to quietly pass gas while in line at the bank. And instead, let’s just say, I also passed a little something extra, why would this happen to me and is there anything I can do to avoid it in the future. Thanks” Great question Frank, I'm going to tell you, that was the deposit, I don’t think Frank was intending to leave. Dr. Jim Sears: There is a name for that. But I don’t think we’re allowed to use that on TV. Dr. Travis Stork: We’re not, so I'm going to get on medical. It’s called fecal incontinence. And this can happen to people especially if they’re suffering from diarrhea, and there’s a lot of loose stools down there in the rectum. Dr. Lisa Masterson: Also women, after they deliver, if their episiotomies aren’t repaired well and their sphincter muscles aren’t repaired well, this can be really a problem. Dr. Travis Stork: Because I got this really fun demo, so I’ve got to have a little fun here. We’re going to play a little game. Pretend this is your rectum. And it’s full of air, you have a little something called your anal sphincter that keeps that air in, but when it gets filled with air, your rectum sends a signal to your brain and says, it’s time to let out a little gas. Anal sphincter relaxes -- air comes out. Dr. Jim Sears: Hey Travis, take it easy with that stuff. Dr. Travis Stork: So, let’s just say we’ve a got a little diarrhea going on, and then you know, your rectum gets a little confused, this rectum had a lot more problems -- Dr. Jim Sears: Yeah, I got it. Dr. Travis Stork: But it sends a signal to your brain and when you loosened -- Dr. Lisa Masterson: Oh -- Dr. Jim Sears: That’s kind of what happens, that’s exactly how it works. You get the picture. Dr. Drew Ordon: I think that’s called dysentery. Dr. Lisa Masterson: Yeah. Dr. Travis Stork: That’s when you go to the bathroom and you just checked and everyone is going to be like, “Oh no! Oh no! Oh no!” So the point is, in most cases, there’s nothing to worry about yourself. Thanks for anyway for your question Frank.