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Warning-sign checks

Bowel incontinence: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    Seek emergency care for new loss of bowel control together with severe lower back pain, new leg weakness, numbness around the genitals or buttocks, or difficulty starting or controlling urination.

    This combination can indicate serious pressure on the nerves at the bottom of the spine and needs immediate assessment.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Prompt assessment is also appropriate for an unexplained change in bowel habits, weight loss, anemia, or persistent rectal discomfort.

    Seek urgent medical advice for significant rectal bleeding, unexpected black or tar-like stool, bloody diarrhea with fever, severe abdominal pain or swelling, repeated vomiting, or signs of dehydration such as faintness and very little urination.

    And for anyone, someone who:

    • has abdominal pain that is severe, constant, or getting worse
  3. 3

    Does any of this apply?

    Book an appointment

    Routine follow-up is useful after treatment begins.

    A clinician may review stool consistency, the number of leakage episodes, urgency, skin health, treatment side effects, and how symptoms affect daily activities.

    A bowel diary can show whether a plan is helping.

    Arrange a routine medical appointment if leakage is recurring, worsening, interfering with daily life, or accompanied by ongoing constipation or diarrhea.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Bowel incontinence. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.