April 2017

If you have been diagnosed with haemorrhoids you may be prescribed a Corticosteroid cream (medication that contains steroids) which can be used to help reduce the swelling and inflammation associated with haemorrhoids. These types of creams…

There are a number of different suppositories available. Suppositories are placed directly into the back passage and prompt the bowel to want to empty usually within 20-40 minutes. They can be used to help relieve occasional constipation…

What is a Colostomy? A colostomy is created when your colon is cut and brought to the outside through the abdominal wall to create an artificial opening. Your faeces is then collected in a bag called a colostomy bag that is attached to…

There are a number of alternative and complementary solutions to manage constipation.  A wide range of these options can be purchased online via retail outlets but may not generally be used by most doctors. They should be used alongside the…

Different people have different bowel habits. Most people who have a bowel movement more than 3 times a week and pass good textured faeces (not too hard or soft) can be said to have 'normal' bowel behaviour. Since it can be hard to state…

The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is the independent organisation responsible for providing national guidance on the promotion of good health and the prevention and treatment of ill health. NICE produces…

Anal irrigation, also known as bowel irrigation, trans-anal irrigation or rectal irrigation is a unique way of emptying the lower bowel and is used to prevent faecal incontinence, chronic constipation or simply as a method of bowel…

What is Bowel Retraining? Bowel Retraining is a conservative treatment that is generally aimed at people who have recurring constipation or diarrhoea, or limited or reduced sensation in their rectum due to nerve damage. The aim is to…

Banding is a conservative treatment indicated for haemorrhoids (piles). This procedure is a common way of treating haemorrhoids and will normally be carried out as an outpatient and you will be able to go home immediately afterwards.  You…

Having a problem with the digestive system can cause a great deal of discomfort and can make you feel bloated and sluggish. There are many causes of an upset digestive system, such as an unhealthy diet, stress, antibiotics and travel, to…

People with faecal incontinence or leakage of faeces can be helped by undertaking special exercises to strengthen the sphincter muscles. With regular practice, the exercises could help to build up your muscles. Check with your health…

If you have been diagnosed with haemorrhoids (piles) you may be offered Sclerotherapy injections as an alternative to banding where the haemorrhoid is too small to band. This is a common conservative treatment for smaller, internal…

As most episodes of Diarrhoea are caused by bacteria, for instance, eating contaminated food, they usually only last a few days and should go away without taking any medication. If you have been diagnosed with diarrhoea, you may wish to…

Antispasmodic medicines relax the intestinal muscles and help to slow down bowel movements to relieve diarrhoea. These medicines tend to be used to ease the symptoms of IBS and can help to relieve abdominal pain and cramping, especially if…

The treatment for faecal impaction aims to clear the impacted faeces out by oral or rectal medicines or by administering an enema. Once cleared out, you should monitor your bowel movements carefully to ensure you don't get constipated and…

If you have been diagnosed with constipation your GP may prescribe a laxative as a first step alongside dietary and lifestyle advice. Laxatives are a type of medicine that help you pass stools. There are several different types and each one…

Bowel problems are not limited to adults and are definitely not just part of getting older – children can experience them too. Some children will be born with bowel conditions while others can develop them as they start to grow. In this…

Colitis and Crohn's disease are Inflammatory Bowel Diseases where the intestines can become swollen, inflamed and ulcerated. The symptoms for these conditions include abdominal pain, loss of weight, diarrhoea, urgent need to go to the…

What Is Constipation? Constipation is a very common condition that affects people of all ages. It means you are not passing stools (faeces) as often as you normally do, you have to strain more than usual or you are unable to completely…

Most cases of diarrhoea will clear up after a few days once what has caused it such as bacteria or a virus has passed through. The most important thing to do is make sure you stay hydrated whilst you are unwell. If your symptoms last longer…

What is Diverticular Disease? Diverticular Disease - also known as DD -  is the name given to small pouches (sacs) known as diverticula, that protrude outwards from the wall of the large intestine. Each diverticulum consists of a small…

Faecal incontinence or bowel incontinence is more common than you would think, affecting over 53 million people in Europe making it more prevalent than many well-known diseases such as asthma or diabetes.

What are Haemorrhoids (Piles)? Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are enlarged and swollen blood vessels which are in or around the lower rectum and the anus. Most of the time you are not aware of having haemorrhoids but in most cases you…

Bowel cancer is also called colorectal cancer and includes large bowel cancer (colon cancer) and cancer of the back passage (rectal cancer or cancer of the rectum).

Tension-free vaginal tape (TVT) is for women with stress urinary incontinence. It is usually not considered suitable for women considering having children, or for women with other conditions like a cystocele or a vaginal prolapse. The…

In some people, stress incontinence does not sufficiently improve with the other more conservative treatments and that is when you may wish to consider surgery. Every person is different, and a surgeon will be able to discuss with you what…

What is Urinary Diversion? If your bladder is removed during a radical cystectomy, an alternative way of passing urine out of your kidneys will need to be found. There are a number of different treatment options, which are described below.…

There are a number of surgical procedures used to correct vaginal wall prolapse. Many of these use a material called mesh. Mesh may be made of natural ('biological') or synthetic materials, or a combination of both, and may be absorbable or…

Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is a surgical procedure used to treat prostate enlargement and involves cutting away a section of the prostate gland. It is one of the most common types of surgery for an enlarged prostate.…

Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) is an alternative to TURP for men who have a moderately enlarged prostate, and/or are in very poor health and are not suitable for TURP (TUIP generally involves less blood loss than TURP so it…

Post Micturition Dribble (PMD), or after dribble, is the name given to the problem when men experience an involuntary loss of urine immediately after they have finished passing urine, usually after leaving the toilet.

Caring for a relative or friend who has a bladder or bowel problem may not be easy. It is likely to have a big emotional and physical impact for the person you care for and can also have an emotional impact on you. If you are caring for a…

Understanding why incontinence affects you emotionally can help you learn to feel better about yourself, to tackle your bladder or bowel problem more positively, and to relate to those close to you more easily. Are you the only person with…

Loving, caring relationships are important for everyone – and many want these to develop into sexual relationships. For everyone, these relationships are a source of happiness and sadness, joy and disappointment, anxiety and pleasure,…

When you have been diagnosed with a bladder or bowel problem there will be many questions running through your mind. You may remember to ask your health professional the most obvious ones but in case you’re left searching and more…

A catheter is a thin tube which is used to drain urine from the bladder. Catheters are used as a management aid by people who cannot empty their bladder properly. There are three main types of catheters: Intermittent catheters…

If you are have concerns around bladder control or someone you know needs support, it can help though to have a broader understanding of what support is available to you. These frequently asked questions may help you find more…

Below you will find a collection of comments from people who have found our services useful. If we have helped you in some way, whether it be from a chat with one of our Helpline nurses, or maybe you couldn't live without our Toilet Card…

Share your story Everyone with a bladder or bowel control problem will have a different story to tell and by sharing your own individual experience you can offer hope and inspiration to others in a similar situation.  Being able to…

If you have Overactive Bladder or the symptoms of urge and urgency, you may wish to consider surgery if other more conservative treatments have not proved successful. Every person is different, and a surgeon will be able to discuss with you…

Botulinum toxin, commonly known as Botox can be used to manage an overactive bladder in patients with symptoms of urinary incontinence, urgency and frequency. Learn more about how this treatment could help you.

If you have Overactive Bladder or symptoms of urge and urgency, you may wish to consider surgery if your symptoms have not sufficiently improved after you have tried other more conservative treatments. Every person is different, and a…

Radical prostatectomy is the most common surgery performed when cancer is confined to the prostate. The surgery involves removing the whole gland along with the tumour. This operation will involve a hospital stay of approx. a week and will…

In some people, stress incontinence does not sufficiently improve with the other treatments and that is when you may wish to consider surgery. Every person is different, and a surgeon will be able to discuss with you what exactly is causing…

What is a Pelvic Floor Repair A pelvic floor repair is the most common surgery for prolapse. It is a broad term used to describe simple surgical repairs of the pelvic floor. More specifically, the term anterior repair refers to correction…

Sacral Neuromodulation (SNM) (also known as Sacral Nerve Stimulation) is an NHS funded therapy that may be able to help certain people who experience bladder and bowel problems.  Where successful, the treatment can be a life changing…

What is a suprapubic catheter? A suprapubic catheter is a hollow flexible tube that is used to drain urine from the bladder. It is inserted into the bladder through a cut in the tummy, a few inches below the navel (tummy button). This is…

Hydroxyzine hydrochloride is an antihistamine that is used for treating allergic and inflammatory skin conditions - it can be used in the treatment of interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome as it blocks the chemicals that can cause…

Betmiga contains active substance mirabegron. As a bladder muscle relaxant it reduces the activity of an overactive bladder and treats the symptoms.

Darifenacin hydrobromide is a medicine which is used to treat people who have urinary problems such as incontinence, urgency or frequency which are caused by an overactive bladder. It works by preventing spasms of the bladder muscle, which…