The risk of bowel incontinence can be part of having IBD. Bowel incontinence means the unintended passing of stools (faeces, poo).

WHAT IS BOWEL INCONTINENCE?

As mentioned above, bowel incontinence means the unintended passing of stools or poo. There are two main forms of bowel incontinence. They are:

• Urge incontinence – this happens when there is a very strong need to pass stools, but the person does not reach the toilet in time.
• Passive incontinence – this occurs ‘silently’ – that is, without the person being aware that stools have been passed.