What Causes Bowel Incontinence With Extreme Weakness?

Posted on Sat, 7 Jun 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 7 Jun 2014 Answered on

Fri, 4 Jul 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Urgent need to move bowels followed by extreme weakness and need to lie down. Man,79 years of age. Thanks for your help?

Answered by Dr. Shoaib Khan (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Do you strain during a BM: yes or no?

Detailed Answer:
Hello sir and welcome.

Thank you for writing to us.

I have gone through your query with diligence and would like to let you know that your symptoms are not very commonly encountered, but are not something that are very rarely seen. I would first like to ask you if you strain while going about a bowel movement, if so please stop doing this immediately. If not, then my discussion is as follows.

There could be various causes for such a presentation, but all these causes are not seen very often. They are:
-Conditions called chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS); need to consult a gastroenterologist
-Injury to the spine (usually the lower part)
-Spinal stenosis (consult a rheumatologist)
-Autoimmune disorders

These are in my opinion the conditions that can cause such a presentation. If at all any of the above conditions are present, then without treatment, your symptoms may not subside sir. I would urge you to schedule an appointment with your primary care physician, who if required would direct you to a specialist for further management.

I hope you find my response both helpful and informative. Please feel free to write back to me for any further clarifications, I would be more than happy to be of assistance.

Best wishes.

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar