We asked our community what they will be doing differently this year, and here’s some of your wonderful stories and, well, it's love actually! Read some heart warming stories and updates from just a few of our wonderful members.

Dionne, 23 from Scotland talks to Bladder and Bowel Community about how the perception of endometriosis needs to change and more awareness is needed around just how damaging this gynaecological condition can be.

We're highlighting the importance of early detection by knowing the symptoms of bladder cancer. David tells us how his urostomy stoma saved his life - and how noticing blood in his urine was the key.

If you have been given a continent urinary diversion you will need to learn how to use a catheter to empty the urinary reservoir completely in a clean safe manner. You will initially be shown how to do this by your specialist nurse after…

What is a Urostomy? A urostomy or ileal conduit is the most common type of non-continent urinary diversion operation. During the operation, the surgeon will make a hole in your abdominal wall. This hole is known as a urinary stoma.…

It is essential that the highest standards of hygiene are maintained at all times. Handwashing is one of the simplest ways you can protect yourself from infection and stop germs from transferring to other people or surfaces (such as…

Saffronne Epaminondas has lived with IBS for over 32 years and was diagnosed at the age of 18. There is currently no cure, but Saffron kindly shares her experiences of living with this chronic illness.

For mental health awareness week, Community Manager Gemma Savory describes ways to help you overcome lockdown anxiety.

Fashion designer, Victoria Jenkins tells us about how her own health issues and how a chance meeting with another patient in hospital led to her developing her own brand of adaptive clothing designed to be comfortable, timeless and…

What is Diverticulitis? Diverticulitis is an inflammation of one or more diverticulum, which are pockets that form in the smooth wall of the intestine. The reason that diverticulitis develops has not been entirely confirmed, but it is…

Here at Bladder and Bowel Community, we’ve been looking to the future to see how we can help do our bit to protect our community and planet. We realise that whilst we are all desperate to get back to safely being in close contact with our…

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…

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.

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

Crohn’s and Colitis are invisible illnesses that mainly affects the digestive system but can also cause fatigue and painful joints. They are forms of inflammatory bowel disease, that currently don’t have a cure. Around 300,000 in…

Having toilet issues can lead to feelings of depression and anxiety If we have a physical illness most of us wouldn’t think twice about contacting a doctor to remedy this, however those who are suffering emotionally or mentally are…

How much do you know about your kidneys? These two fist-sized beans do more than you think. What happens though when your kidneys don’t work as should? Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) affects over 3 million people in the UK, yet it is a…

Tara has agreed to share her story with the Bladder and Bowel Community. Tara has a combination of rare conditions, which have led to her experiencing painful bladder symptoms. In April 2012, Tara woke up one morning with excruciating…

Dear Cancer, It has been just over four years since you came into my life, but you had been silently ripping your way through my bowel for years before that. You spread further and further causing me pain and bleeding. …

Jeff at the Gloucester Half Marathon. Image by Imagination Photography. Jeff Finnie, aged 51, from Swindon is running 20 half marathons in 20 months and one marathon, starting with the Gloucester Half Marathon this month and ending with…

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.

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…

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.

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,…

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…

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.

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…

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,…

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…

We’re always grateful to our community for sharing their stories and letting others know that they’re not alone with their bladder and/or bowel condition. This week, Ian talks to us about his life with the autoimmune bowel condition,…

If you have Inflammatory Bowel Disease or an ostomy then you probably know who Sam Cleasby is. Sam is the owner of the hugely popular ‘So Bad Ass’ website and one of the most influential voices for Crohn’s and Colitis sufferers. After being…

We’re always grateful to our community for sharing their stories and letting others know that they’re not alone with their bladder and/or bowel condition. This week, Lisa, aged 35 introduces herself and tells us what it is like to live with…

We spoke to BBC Radio Essex this week to give our opinions about a man with colitis who got a parking ticket after stopping for an emergency bathroom break in Essex. Do you think he should have got fined?

Living with a bladder condition such as Overactive Bladder can be both physically and emotionally demanding. NewLifeOutlook give you some great advice that can help to improve your bladder symptoms.

This week we’ve all been inundated with those photos of cute smiling kids in their slightly too big school uniforms and large grins. Yes that’s right September is here and it’s back to school time for many children. How do you cope with a…

The only treatment for Hirschsprung’s is surgery. All children will have to undergo a procedure at some stage to connect the healthy portion of bowel to their anus in order to allow them to pass bowel motions normally. Initially, the…

Gastroenteritis is a condition that causes inflammation of the stomach and bowel. It can be caused by a bacterial infection or viral infection. Food poisoning is also a common cause of gastroenteritis. Gastroenteritis can be very contagious…

How to Encourage a Bowel Movement when Constipated If you find yourself having difficulty going to the toilet and emptying your bowels, there are a number of non-medical methods to encourage a dormant gut to relieve you of constipation.…

What is Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome? Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS) is the name given to a group of rare disorders that affects the connective tissues. Connective tissues in the body are vital as they provide support for the skin, bone, internal…

Through our partnership with Bullen Healthcare, we are able to offer our members a service that takes care of all of your appliance and prescription requirements and delivers them directly and discreetly to your front door. The Home…

The treatment for a bowel obstruction will depend on what is causing it. For a total mechanical blockage, surgery will most likely be required. Most bowel obstructions will need some form of hospital intervention to relieve the problem. If…

What Is A Bowel Obstruction? A bowel obstruction can be a serious condition, which can occur in the large or small bowel. A small bowel obstruction commonly occurs where loops of intestine can easily get blocked or twisted. A…

There is no cure for short bowel syndrome at present and treatment involves alleviating the symptoms suffered by the patient and working to balance the right level of nutrition needed by the body. Treatment may be coordinated across a team…