2020

In a recent customer satisfaction survey, 96% of our customers told us they would recommend our dedicated home delivery service. Here’s what some of our customers said…

Here at Bladder and Bowel Community, we’re already getting into the Christmas spirit. The decorations are up, the Christmas tunes are playing at full blast and the food cupboard has well… already been depleted shall we say! We know that…

Stoma bloggers have done such a lot to reduce barriers around some key topics. We know how important it is to be able to draw on other people’s experiences when going through something like stoma surgery, so we thought we would share our…

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS is a chronic relapsing and often lifelong disorder involving a collection of symptoms, which vary from person to person. This is a guide to what to look out for and how you can better manage IBS.

We highlighted #stomaweek here at Bladder & Bowel Community, with a focus on stoma issues and related topics. As part of the week, we invited our Stoma Nurse to be part of a Question and Answer event, and we had some great questions…

As part of #stomaweek, Keith Thomas, 59 from Llanelli shares his story on how his stoma ‘Homer’ gave him a new lease of life and how he’s never been happier since his diagnosis of Ulcerative Colitis. We'd like to thank Keith for sharing his…

This week we’re talking ‘All Things Stoma’.  We’re always looking for ways in which we can support the community, and this week we have a few little surprises for you! You’ll have to join us on social media to find out exactly what we’re…

It’s not uncommon to struggle with diet for IBS - knowing what your triggers are  and what foods may help can be the key to reducing symptoms.  So we spoke to Sarah Monk, Registered Dietitian to get the facts about Irritable Bowel Syndrome…

When we talk about having a bladder or bowel condition, we mostly talk about the physical symptoms that are associated with the condition, whether that be urgency, incontinence, stomach pain and more. What we don’t really talk about are the…

If you are experiencing continence issues, or someone you know is, these frequently asked questions may help you in understanding what help is available.

With lockdown restrictions lifting further still, and with the recent announcement that shielding for the clinically vulnerable is no longer necessary, it has become apparent just how important public toilet facilities are and how many…

With the emergency of COVID-19 this year, we have all found ourselves in this new world of lockdowns, wearing face masks and the strange prospect of queueing to do our food shops. For those of us who were isolating and have only just…

Jan Ross underwent stoma surgery in February this year just before lockdown, after being diagnosed with rectal cancer. Here, Jan talks to Bladder and Bowel about how she coped learning how to manage her new stoma friend during these…

We talked to Physiotherapist and Founder of Actively Autoimmune, Zoe McKenzie to get her experience and advice for the Bladder and Bowel Community.  Having a chronic illness doesn’t have to hold you back from exercise, and a big part of our…

Updated 10th July 2020 With so many shops, cafes and pubs reopening their doors to the public, and eager to return to 'business as usual' there is much activity and anticipation around revisiting some of our old past times. With this…

A catheter drains urine from the bladder into a drainage bag which may be supported at thigh or calf level. The leg drainage bag requires changing every 5 to 7 days depending on manufacturers instructions. A Belly Bag or a catheter valve…

Dealing With Urinary Catheter Problems Occasionally people may experience problems with their urinary catheters or accessories and the advice below should help. In all cases remember that good fluid intake is essential and often…

A urinary catheter is a soft hollow tube, which is passed into the bladder to drain urine. Catheters are sometimes necessary for people, who for a variety of reasons, cannot empty their bladder in the usual way.

If you're actively trying to increase your fluid intake and hydration levels, it may help to have a goal in mind that suits your body. This table can help you determine how much fluid you should try to take in a 24 hour period based on your…

A drainage bag collects urine from a catheter or penile sheath. Normally there is a tube which connects the catheter or sheath to the drainage bag. With a catheter everything should be sterile. Drainage bags come in different sizes and can…

Learn all about night bags for catheters - disconnecting or attaching a night drainage bag, the importance of hygiene, how to dispose of urine bags and when to seek help. Read our guide.

Director Joanne Umbers represents the Community in the discussion around public toilets As lockdown slowly starts to lift, the issue around public toilets and their availability is a key issue to so many. When Bladder…

At-home, finger-prick blood tests mean that you can test various health indicators yourself. Whether you suffer from bladder or bowel conditions, a home blood test may help you understand your condition. Get 10% off with BAND

You can order a free sample of MoliCare® pants for Men or Women. As a Bladder and Bowel Community member, you will also receive 20% off with HARTMANN Direct with code BBC20 at the checkout or over the phone.

Welcome to our dedicate a space where we talk about all matters relating to catheters. Leanna Benjamin who is a catheter patient, talks openly about what she wished she had known about having a catheter.  Firstly let us introduce you to…

At Bladder and Bowel Community, we don’t want anyone to struggle or feel lost with their catheter needs - so we put your most-asked questions to Val, our urology nurse. The Community Asked… Our Catheter Nurse Answered! We asked the members…

Bladder & Bowel Community member, Anne Fairhurst shares her experiences of living with Megacolon and Slow Digestive Transit; how she experienced constipation for years before finally being diagnosed with the, and how it has affected…

Due to the recent raised concern around the Coronavirus outbreak we feel it is necessary to reassure you of the continued dedication and commitment to you, our community.

How to treat uncomplicated DD? (Not Diverticulitis) When it comes to Diverticulitis Disease treatment, most doctors will advise patients to increase their fibre intake; this is not recommended if there is inflammation in the…

Introducing Hannah, who will be contributing as a regular guest blogger for the Bladder and Bowel Community. Hannah has a painful bladder condition called Interstitial Cystitis (IC) and will be telling her story over a series of posts as…