Symptom 9: The Fecal Frustration: Collagenous Colitis and Fecal Incontinence
The ninth symptom associated with collagenous colitis is fecal incontinence, an often embarrassing and distressing condition. It refers to the inability to control bowel movements, leading to an unintentional loss of stool. This can occur due to the frequent, urgent bouts of diarrhea that are a hallmark of collagenous colitis.
In collagenous colitis, the inflammation and thickened collagen layer in the colon can disrupt normal bowel movements. This, combined with the increased gut activity, can lead to episodes of fecal incontinence. While it can be an uncomfortable topic to discuss, it’s a significant symptom that can impact your quality of life and daily activities.
However, fecal incontinence is not unique to collagenous colitis. It can occur in other conditions that affect bowel control, including other inflammatory bowel diseases, nerve damage, or muscle damage. Therefore, it’s important to consider fecal incontinence in the context of other symptoms and factors. (9)
