Flatus incontinence, more commonly referred to as flatulence incontinence, is a relatively common condition affecting men and women.

This often embarrassing condition occurs when an individual feels the sensation of a full rectum but does not have the ability to determine whether the sensation is caused by the presence of flatulence or stool. In this instance, the body’s sensation transmitters are not properly signaling the brain, which causes affected individuals to soil themselves.

Symptoms of flatus incontinence include:

• Inability to distinguish between flatus and stool
• Uncontrollable flatulence
• Passage of stool and/or flatulence unexpectedly
• Digestive discomfort

Flatus incontinence can result from improper diet, especially one that is filled with a high intake of carbohydrates. It may also be caused by malabsorption disorders such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBS) or poor thyroid function. Symptoms of flatus incontinence are prevalent in other forms of bowel incontinence including urge incontinence. In order to get a proper diagnosis, it is important to speak to a physician.