Bowel Incontinence Pattern

“Write down what you have for meals, snacks and drinks.
You may discover a pattern between certain foods
and fecal incontinence”.1

Umbrella

What may the Bowel Incontinence Pattern Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this Umbrella may include:

  • Accidental Bowel Leakage (ABL)
  • Anal Incontinence
  • Bowel Continence
  • Bowel Control Problems
  • Bowel Incontinence
  • Constipation
  • Faecal/Fecal Incontinence (FI)
  • Incontinence (Fecal/Bowel)
  • Poor Bowel Control

Bowel Incontinence

Is there an association between bowel incontinence and certain foods?

In Dietary Tips the International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders explain:

“Certain foods are known to stimulate gut reactions in general, and in those with bowel incontinence, or accidental bowel leakage (ABL), eating too much of these might provoke unwanted reactions.

For example, meals that are too large or high in fat, fried foods, coffee, caffeine, or alcohol may provoke symptoms of abdominal cramps and diarrhea”.2

Foods and Drinks

What are some foods that can cause diarrhea?

In Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment – Treatment: Diet and Lifestyle Changes the (United States) Mayo Clinic elaborate on:

Bowel Incontinence Pattern“Avoiding foods that can cause diarrhea. These include:

  • Drinks with caffeine, alcohol or artificial sweeteners
  • Fatty foods and dairy products
  • Foods with added fructose or naturally high fructose, such as apples, peaches and pears
  • Spicy foods”.3

Look for A Pattern

How can I Look for A Pattern with bowel incontinence? Bowel Incontinence Pattern

In Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment – Lifestyle and Home Remedies: Diaries the Mayo Clinic note:

“You may be able to gain better control of your bowel movements by:

  • Keeping track of what you eat. What you eat and drink affects the consistency of your stools. Make a list of what you eat for a few days. You may discover a connection between certain foods and your bouts of incontinence. Once you’ve identified problem foods, stop eating them and see if your incontinence improves”.4

In Fecal (Bowel Incontinence): Management and Treatment – How Is Fecal Incontinence Treated or Managed? Dietary Changes the (United States) Cleveland Clinic elaborate on:

“You can change what you eat and drink to manage incontinence related to diarrhea or constipation. It’s a good idea to track what you consume daily, noting what foods or drinks make you less likely to have healthy bowel movements. Then, do everything you can to avoid them.

For diarrhea, avoid foods that can loosen your stools or make you have to go, including:

  • Caffeine, alcohol, some fruit juices and prunes
  • Beans and cabbage family vegetables
  • Spicy foods and cured or smoked meats
  • Artificial sweeteners
  • Dairy products”.5

Bowel Diary

Where may I find a bowel diary?

Your Country may have a bowel diary similar to:

Where may I find a diary?

You may find a bowel diary:

Prevention and Management

What is bowel incontinence prevention and management?

In Bowel Incontinence: Prevention and Management the (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health explain:

“You may be able to prevent and manage bowel incontinence with diet and lifestyle. For example:

  • Drink plenty of fluid (preferably water) each day
  • Reduce caffeinated and alcoholic drinks
  • Eat a healthy diet with a variety of foods that contain fibre
  • Stay active
  • Do regular pelvic floor muscle exercises
  • Learn how to use your pelvic floor muscles to hold on until you get to the toilet and relax when you sit on toilet”.6

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help to look for a pattern with bowel incontinence?

In Fecal (Bowel Incontinence): Living With – A Note From Cleveland Clinic the Cleveland Clinic encourage us to seek help, explaining:

“From the time we were little, many of us learned it was bad manners to talk about poop or bathroom visits. Many people carry this mindset into adulthood — and feel ashamed of issues like incontinence. But the truth is, pooping is a normal part of your (and everyone else’s) health. And sometimes, maintaining good health requires discussing what’s going wrong with your provider. Don’t be ashamed to discuss your symptoms with your healthcare provider. They can recommend treatments and strategies that can help you regain better control over your bowel movements”.7

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Bowel Incontinence Pattern?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Bowel Incontinence Pattern?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

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New or Updated

  1. 147-Personal Daily Diary (IBS)
  2. Bowel Diary
  3. Bowel Diary: Stool Diary
  4. Bowel Incontinence
  5. Dietary Tips
  6. Fecal (Bowel Incontinence)
  7. Fecal Incontinence
  8. Fecal Incontinence
  9. Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment – Lifestyle and Home Remedies: Dietary Changes – Keeping Track of What You Eat
  10. How To Talk To Your Doctor About Incontinence
  11. Pelvic Floor Health | Dr Louise Newson LIVE
  12. The Top 3 Reasons To Use A Bowel Diary When You Have Fecal Incontinence

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment – Lifestyle and Home Remedies: Dietary Changes. 27 November 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351403 Accessed: 30 April 2025
  2. Incontinence Treatment: Dietary Tips. International Foundation of Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders https://www.aboutincontinence.org/site/treatment/dietary-tips Accessed: 30 April 2025
  3. Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment – Lifestyle and Home Remedies: Diet and Lifestyle Changes. 27 November 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351403 Accessed: 30 April 2025
  4. Fecal Incontinence: Diagnosis & Treatment – Lifestyle and Home Remedies: Dietary Changes. 27 November 2024. Mayo Clinic https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/fecal-incontinence/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351403 Accessed: 30 April 2025
  5. Fecal (Bowel Incontinence): Management and Treatment – How Is Fecal Incontinence Treated or Managed? Dietary Changes. Last Reviewed: 10 October 2023. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14574-fecal-bowel-incontinence Accessed: 30 April 2025
  6. Bowel Incontinence: Prevention and Management. Last Updated: 23 April 2024 | Last Reviewed: 31 January 2024. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/bowel/bowel-incontinence Accessed: 30 April 2025
  7. Fecal (Bowel Incontinence): Living With – A Note from Cleveland Clinic. Last Reviewed: 10 October 2023. Cleveland Clinic https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/14574-fecal-bowel-incontinence Accessed: 30 April 2025
Topic Last Updated: 30 April 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 30 April 2025

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