Ask the doctor: What can I do about fecal leakage?
Many conditions can cause fecal incontinence. The most common is damage to the anal sphincter, a group of muscles that prevents the involuntary escape of feces. If hardened stool gets stuck in the rectum, liquid feces may leak around the blockage. Conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease and diarrhea also can lead to leakage.
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