Browsing Tag

bladder conditions

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI)

Stress Urinary Incontinence (SUI) defined as a sudden unintentional loss of urine during normal day-to-day activities, also commonly referred to as weak bladder or bladder weakness.

Incontinence Myths

For such a common condition as incontinence, it’s important to understand exactly what help and support is available. But also what common myths and misconceptions to avoid as these may prevent you from properly managing incontinence.

Continence FAQs

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

Hannah’s Story – Interstitial Cystitis

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

Mental Health Awareness Week

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

Share Your Story – Tara’s Story

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

Bladder & Bowel Community Support Group

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…

Mark – Living With Overactive Bladder

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…

Menopause And The Bladder

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.…

World Mental Health Day

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

Niki Wells – Living with Interstitial Cystitis

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…

Time 2 Talk Ostomy Support Group

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,…

Catheters And Me: A True Story From 21 Year Old Gemma

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…

MS Awareness Week

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…

The Importance Of Hydration

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 to Empty your Bladder Completely

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.

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)

Urinary tract infections (UTI’s) are a common and usually mild infection that can affect the bladder, urethra, ureters and kidneys. UTI’s can occur at all ages, although women are particularly at risk and over 50% will experience at least…

Urinary Urgency and Urge Incontinence

An issue with the bladder, such as Urge incontinence and urgency incontinence, can cause a great deal of worry and stress, and you may start to live your life around your problem. However, there is help available. What’s the difference…

Nocturia

What is Nocturia? It can be quite normal to wake once or twice during the night to pass water. If you have to do so more often than that it can become both annoying and tiring. The need to pass water during the night is called Nocturia.…

Post Micturition Dribble

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.

Vaginal and Recto Vaginal Fistulas

A vaginal fistula is a tract or hole that has opened up from the vaginal wall and connects with another organ in the body. The most common types of vaginal fistula are: Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF) - a tract that connects the vagina and…

Prolapse

What Is a Prolapse? Pelvic Organ Prolapse a condition in which one or more of the pelvic organs comes down or bulges into or out of the vagina, often with the sensation of 'something coming down below'. The pelvic organs consist of the…

Fowler’s Syndrome

What is Fowler's Syndrome? First described in 1985, Fowler's Syndrome is a cause of urinary retention (inability to pass water normally) in young women. Urinary retention in young women is not common but can be quite debilitating. The…

Bacterial Cystitis

Cystitis is an inflammation of the bladder and is a common form of urinary tract infection (UTI). Cystitis predominately affects women, but occasionally it can affect men and children. What Causes Bacterial Cystitis? In most cases, cystitis…

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a condition in which the prostate is enlarged, but not cancerous. The enlargement of the prostate can restrict the flow of urine from the bladder, causing uncomfortable and inconvenient urinary…

Understanding Urinary Retention, Causes and Symptoms

What is Urinary Retention? The bladder is a balloon-shaped hollow muscle.  It is designed to stretch as it fills up and contract as it empties.  The bladder muscle can become so weak that it is unable to contract strongly enough to…

Childhood Bladder Conditions

Day time wetting affects about 1 in 75 children over the age of 5 and is more common in girls. Day time wetting can be embarrassing for your child and can be difficult to deal with, especially at school. It can, in some cases, lead to…

Urinary Frequency – How Often Should You Pee?

Frequency refers to the number of times you go to the toilet to pass urine in a day. If you need to go to the toilet very often, more than seven times a day on drinking approximately 2 litres of fluid, you may have a frequency problem.…

Mixed Urinary Incontinence

Mixed Urinary Incontinence is the involuntary leakage associated with Stress Urinary Incontinence and Urge Urinary Incontinence, and can also include Nocturia and Dribbling.  Some people have a mixture of all these different symptoms which…

Nocturnal Enuresis

What Is Nocturnal Enuresis? Nocturnal Enuresis means wetting the bed. Many people wet the bed at night, although few people talk about it. In fact, one person in every 100 may be affected throughout adult life. Most people think that…

Prostate cancer

Your treatment for Prostate cancer will depend on your type of tumour, how advanced the cancer is and your health in general. Some types are slow growing and don’t interfere with any bladder function. These types of tumours may not require…

Bladder Cancer

Cancer occurs when body cells alter, multiply and interfere with 'normal' cells. Bladder cancer is unfortunately not uncommon. One of the common symptoms of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. The bleeding is not usually painful and…

Prostatitis

Prostatitis is the general term for inflammation of the prostate. The inflammation can be acute and is normally caused by an infection. There are three main types of prostatitis; acute prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, and chronic…

Bladder Problems After a Baby

Most women accept that they might get a vaginal tear during childbirth, but having a bladder or bowel problem after giving birth to their baby is rarely in the minds of expectant mothers. This page aims to cover some possible problems that…

Overactive Bladder

What is Overactive Bladder? If you get sudden urges to go to the toilet to pass urine which are difficult to ignore, you could be suffering from an overactive bladder. This is sometimes called an unstable or irritable bladder or…

Painful Bladder And Interstitial Cystitis

What is Interstitial Cystitis? Painful bladder syndrome or bladder pain syndrome, also commonly known as interstitial cystitis, is a chronic inflammation of the bladder wall. It is not caused by bacteria and does not respond to…

Overflow Incontinence

What Is Overflow Incontinence? Overflow incontinence happens when the bladder doesn’t empty properly, and so it leaks out. You may not get the message to go to the toilet either. The bladder never empties properly and fills up more…