2018

If you have lost or misplaced your Just Can't Wait card please use the form below to fill out your details and we will get another one sent out to you. Please note we make a small charge charge for cards ordered by post, to help cover…

This week is Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness week. Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are forms of inflammatory bowel disease, a chronic, incurable autoimmune disease that mainly attacks your bowel. To raise awareness of these crippling…

Student Film makers aim to raise awareness of invisible illnesses like inflammatory bowel disease this Crohn's and Colitis Week with empowering ostomy film.

AD This article contains links Urinary incontinence is the inability to control your bladder, causing unwanted and involuntary leakage of urine1. The condition can affect anyone, at any age, but it is often a subject people avoid talking…

We are proud to provide an essential support service in the form of the Bladder & Bowel Community Support Group on Facebook, allowing members to discuss issues, ask questions, and connect with others in a similar situation. Find out…

We were interested to see that included in today’s Budget 2018 news was the welcome of business rates relief for all public toilet facilities made available for public use, whether they are publicly or privately owned.

Mark has bravely agreed to share his story of living with an overactive bladder. Mark is 40, a Project Manager and lives with his wife and two children in the Midlands. Mark has lived with embarrassing bladder symptoms for several years…

Yesterday marked World Menopause Day and an opportunity to discuss a change in life that affects every single woman at some point. Menopause appears to be one of those taboo subjects where women will just ‘put up’ with menopausal symptoms.…

On World Mental Health Day, Bladder and Bowel Community Manager, Gemma Savory talks about how bowel cancer led to depression and anxiety.

Fistulas are usually caused by injury or surgery, they may also form after an infection has led to severe inflammation. Inflammatory bowel conditions such as Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are examples of conditions that lead to…

Niki Wells is 33 years old and lives in London with her partner Dany, her son and two step-children and their Whippet Greyhound Meg. On the outside Niki appears to live a normal life but underneath she suffers from a debilitating…

We are so pleased to announce that we have been chosen as a finalist in the Coventry Telegraph Business Awards 2018.

After months of suffering, Muneeb was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease in October 2016, aged 19 years old. Here, Muneeb talks to us about his Crohn’s journey so far and how he has coped with his condition.

How many of us when we are younger try to map our lives out? We give ourselves deadlines; by this age, I will be married, be the top or my career and have children! In all honesty how often do these plans actually happen when we want them…

Today the NHS turns 70 years old and Bladder and Bowel's Community Marketing Manager, Gemma Savory writes about how much the NHS means to her.

Time 2 Talk Ostomy Support Group is a new group for those who want to meet others with an ostomy or bladder/ bowel disorder or seek advice on how to live your best life with your condition. Experts from all areas including nutrition,…

Low testosterone, also called andropause, Low T, or testosterone deficiency is the male version of menopause. Now, it is also important to know that women can also suffer from Low T. Homeopathy is a way to address many health concerns…

By Gemma Harenburg: So the story really begins since I came home. The background you ask? Well, let me explain. Although first of all, I would like to let you know that I want this article to be positively working towards reducing…

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) is a very common condition, affecting an estimated 30% of women worldwide. The condition can have a significant impact on daily life affecting activities, relationships and emotional well-being. Two-thirds…

This month is Make May Purple for Stroke Awareness and we will be highlighting this devastating illness that affects over 1.2 million people and is the leading cause of disability in the UK.

Few conditions can claim to be the subject of quite as many misconceptions as Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD). Invisible illnesses are often the subject of much confusion – the term covers a vast array of conditions, including the…

Being diagnosed with a bowel condition is a life-changing experience, and most are simply relieved to have a diagnosis and a direction to follow for treatment. What if you’re several months or years down the line with treatment and aren’t…

Georgia is 24 years old and has a very rare chronic bowel motility disease. Georgia has bravely decided to share her story, her new journey and thought and feelings about her illness, travel, relationships, work and food in a series of…

This week is MS Awareness Week (23 - 29 April), Multiple Sclerosis affects thousands of people across the UK. MS commonly affects the bladder and bowel but not many people talk about this aspect so we want to highlight how MS affects the…

Cara found herself staring bowel cancer in the face at only 32 years old. For bowel cancer awareness month, Cara has kindly shared her story to raise awareness of the symptoms and that you're never too young for bowel cancer.

The Kegel exercises are important for women to maintain healthy and strong pelvic floor muscles. Read the benefits and how to do Kegels. Learn more.

This week is Autism Awareness Week and we have been speaking to Louise Fields and her 7-year old son Ryan who was diagnosed with autism aged 3-years old. As well as ASD, Ryan has suffered with constant bowel issues including chronic…

Penile Sheaths, also known as Penis Pouches, is a popular and effective alternative to absorbent pads for many men. They fit over the penis like a condom and are attached by a tube to a drainage bag and can be used during the day and during…

Poor nutrition and hydration can sometimes make bladder and bowel symptoms worse, this article looks at all the reasons why good hydration is so important to the bladder and bowel.

How Home Stool Test Kits Can Save Lives Today, many people lead such busy lifestyles that health all-too-often gets pushed to the back burner. A person experiencing a pressing health issue might ignore it in favor of continuing their…

Urinary bladder function is an important to your health. Find out how to empty your bladder completely and how this affects your bowel, with 8 methods to help you fully empty your bladder.

Travelling with bladder and bowel conditions can be a stressful process, and many will simply neglect the opportunity to venture across the world in fear that they won’t have fast access to a toilet. However, this doesn’t mean that you…

Urinary incontinence can be painful, embarrassing, and even debilitating. Whether it is yourself, a member of your family, or even a close friend, this is an issue many will have to deal with.

Have you recently been diagnosed with incontinence? Maybe you’ve been experiencing symptoms and you’re not quite sure what to do about it. Perhaps you’ve been living with incontinence for some time, thinking it will go away on its own or…

What is a Stoma Nurse? A stoma nurse is a specialised role and will look after and advise patients with a colostomy, ileostomy or urostomy before and after surgery. This care may come from a Colorectal Nurse Specialist or a Stoma Nurse.…

My name is Gemma and I have cancer. In fact, I have Stage 4 Bowel Cancer with an incurable prognosis. It is a disease that has been a part of my life for just over three years now. Today is #WorldCancerDay and I want to talk about the…

Do you want to tell your story to over 3 million people? We are committed to publishing the latest news and information from the community and this includes your experiences. Sharing your healthcare journey could help educate the wider…

On 28th February 2018, Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust will be running a Bladder And Bowel Event which is open to members of the public and patients who may be experiencing bladder or bowel issues. Some further dates for the diary…

Bristol City Council is changing the way it provides public toilets, following the closure of 18 public toilets across the city. 

 The council is replacing the public toilet provision with a ‘Community Toilet Scheme’. With the…

From a very young age I realised I didn’t have great bladder or bowel control. Looking back many times as an older child I would wet myself if I laughed too much, if I ran which made sports events at school a nightmare and moving into my…

Bladder & Bowel's very own Community Marketing Manager, Gemma Savory, brings you a very personal battle... The 8th October 2014 at precisely midday I found myself sat in a small lounge room at Birmingham Women’s Hospital with my…

Finding Freedom With A Flushable Colostomy Pouch Many people with a colostomy would say that life with a stoma can often be restricting. Daily challenges include needing to plan for the possibility of an unexpected pouch change,…

Bladder & Bowel Newsletter Edition 1 - June 2017Welcome to the very first edition of the Bladder & Bowel newsletter. Since our rebirth last year, it has been our mission to bring you access to a range of goods, services, and…

Laura is a busy new mum, a nurse and at the young age of 29 diagnosed with cervical cancer after a routine smear test. Here, Laura tells her story, the importance of smear tests and her hopes of setting up a new charity to help new parent…

Changing your stoma bag may seem daunting at first but you will soon get used to the routine of it and over time you will find that a bag change will only take you a few minutes to complete.

What is a stoma reversal? A stoma is formed by bringing a loop of bowel (from the colon to form a colostomy or from the small bowel to form an ileostomy) to the surface of the abdomen. A pouch is then worn over the top of the stoma to…

As many ostomates know, a ‘usual’ stoma care routine can involve many pouch changes throughout the day, some more anticipated than others. Frequent, irregular pouch changes and dreaded leakages, can often leave skin feeling sensitive,…

Natalie Toper, Cancer Counsellor and bowel cancer survivor is campaigning to get stoma signs placed on disabled toilet doors and appropriate stoma facilities within. Here Natalie describes how her own personal experiences have driven her to…

The Royal Society of Medicine will be holding a seminar this March which will explore how geriatric medicine is helping to control ageing syndromes.