Managing Fecal Incontinence: Bladder Conditions

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Managing fecal incontinence

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In the 1993 movie Philadelphia, a near-loss of fecal control was followed by tears, an emergency hospital visit, and the recognition that the character played by Tom Hanks was now terminally ill with AIDS. For most people, fecal incontinence does not mean that life is over, but if you're unable to find help in managing the condition, it can be painfully limiting.

Even if medical treatment doesn't fully alleviate your symptoms, you can reclaim a sense of control by learning to manage your incontinence and being prepared should an accident occur. Seek help from health professionals, such as continence nurses, and support organizations, such as the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (see "Resources").

Figure 7: Prevalence of fecal incontinence according to age and sex

Prevalence of fecal incontinence according to age and gender

Reprinted with permission from the Medical Journal of Australia, 2002, 176: 54–57.

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Last updated:	September 05, 2008

Medical content reviewed by the Faculty of the Harvard Medical School. Harvard Health Publications, Copyright © 2007 by President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. Used with permission of StayWell.

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