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Do Leaking Bowels Indicate Spinal Canal Compression?

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Posted on Mon, 6 Nov 2017
Question: Can leaking bowels indicate spinal canal compression, or immediate medical condition?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
would be best to be seen

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Yes, spinal cord compression or damage can cause incontinence/leaking bowel though there are other causes such as infection

The degeneration in the spine can possibly cause this if there is associated spinal compression which can be shown by an MRI of the spine.

If this a recent onset problem and there is no previous long term history of this symptom, then you need to be assessed as soon as possible with imaging, stool analysis.
There are also tests that look at the control and function of the anal sphincter (area of the anus that controls stool outflow, would normally tighten to stop).

I hope this helps , feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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Do Leaking Bowels Indicate Spinal Canal Compression?

Brief Answer: would be best to be seen Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Yes, spinal cord compression or damage can cause incontinence/leaking bowel though there are other causes such as infection The degeneration in the spine can possibly cause this if there is associated spinal compression which can be shown by an MRI of the spine. If this a recent onset problem and there is no previous long term history of this symptom, then you need to be assessed as soon as possible with imaging, stool analysis. There are also tests that look at the control and function of the anal sphincter (area of the anus that controls stool outflow, would normally tighten to stop). I hope this helps , feel free to ask any other questions