To finish our review of bowel related conditions we will look at faecal incontinence itself (or bowel incontinence or anal incontinence as it can be known).

Whereas urinary incontinence is the uncontrolled loss of urine, faecal incontinence is the uncontrolled loss of solid or liquid stools, or alternatively leakage whilst passing wind.

Understandably faecal incontinence can be a very distressing problem. It can vary significantly in severity from just occasional difficulty in controlling wind to the total loss of control over liquid and solid stools.

Although faecal incontinence is less common than urinary incontinence it still affects many people and can affect anyone, it is more prevalent in older people, particularly those with long-term health or mobility issues.

Faecal incontinence should always be investigated by a specialist to find the specific cause and to determing the best treatment to ease symptoms or cure the problem altogether.