Bowel Category

Bowel Care

As a conservative estimate there are around 6.5 million people in the UK today with some form of bowel problem, that’s 1 in 10 of us. There’s no discrimination either, as both men and women, young and old can be affected.

Despite being so common, bowel difficulties are still not as openly talked about as they should be and many people needlessly suffer in silence and don’t get the help they need.

The choice and availability of treatments, products and medicines have never been greater and there is plenty of good advice and support available. In some cases, bowel problems can be completely cured and in others, they can be effectively managed with the right products or treatments so you can regain your quality of life.

On the following pages you will find information on the many different kinds of bowel problems, from constipation and diarrhoea through to Diverticular Disease and faecal incontinence, also commonly referred to as bowel incontinence. Available treatment and product options are included for each individual condition.

There are many ways you can find help on this site, including our Support Group which is a moderated space for peer support and discussion. For all your ostomy, urology, wound care or prescription medication needs you can contact our Home Delivery team for a professional, friendly service. We’re constantly working to improve our services, so do check back often.

How the Bowel Works

The bowel is part of our digestive system and it works to digest the food we eat, absorb the goodness and nutrients into our blood stream, then process and expel the waste that the body cannot use. The digestive system works by…

Colostomy Surgery

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…

Bristol stool form scale

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…

Fibre supplements for Constipation

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…

Antidiarrhoeal

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…

Laxatives

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…

Haemorrhoids, Anal Tears and Fissures

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…

Diarrhoea Treatments

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…

Bowel cancer

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).

Faecal incontinence

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.