The digestive system is essentially a long, continuous tube that runs all the way from the mouth to the anus. The digestive tract absorbs nutrients from the food we eat and eliminates the waste products we can’t use.

The bowel, or intestine, is the lower part of the digestive system – and is divided into the small intestine and the large intestine (colon, rectum and anus). The main function of the small intestine is to absorbs nutrients released from the food digested in the stomach.

The large intestines absorb water from food and forms semi-solid and solid food waste into faeces, which are discharged from the body via the anus.

Food is moved along the digestive system by a wave of involuntary contractions (peristalsis). The food is temporarily stored in the rectum, and when the rectum becomes full, stretch receptors in its wall send signals to the brain resulting in the urge to defecate. The two anal sphincters relax and faeces to pass through the anus and out of the body. 

Bowel problems
Faecal incontinence is the involuntary or accidental leak of stool or flatus (wind). There are different conditions leading to faecal incontinence.

Constipation is a symptom not a diagnosis. The symptoms vary from person to person but are often characterized by limited bowel movements, straining at defecation, faeces that are hard and painful to pass, and bloating and discomfort.  

You can suffer from both constipation and faecal incontinence at the same time since fluids can pass by the hard stool. Constipation and faecal incontinence often result in spending an excessive amount of time on the toilet and/or feeling uncomfortable and bloated with some abdominal pain.

How common is faecal incontinence and constipation?
Although the exact number of people affected by faecal incontinence is unknown (many people never visit a healthcare professional or reveal their symptoms), faecal incontinence is more common than you might think.

Studies suggest that approximately 2% of the adult population have daily or weekly faecal incontinence episodes. The prevalence for adults over 65 years is 7% and in retirement homes it is up to 1/3 of the elderly.

The exact number of people affected by constipation is unknown. Studies indicate that up to 20% of the population have problems with constipation.