Browsing Tag

Bowel

Veganuary and Bladder and Bowel Health

We know that for many with a bladder or bowel condition, eating vegan may seem daunting but with some careful planning and advice from a qualified dietician you can adapt this lifestyle to fit with you. We share the facts about going vegan…

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, or IBS, is the name health professionals give to a series of symptoms relating to a disturbance of the large bowel that cannot be explained by any other disease. So what are the Symptoms of IBS? What are the…

Lifestyle, Fluids And Diet

There are some general lifestyle changes which may help to alleviate your symptoms of bladder conditions such as overactive bladder, stress incontinence, Urethritis, Nocturia, and many more. Diet changes your bladder will love Try and eat…

Fitness gave me confidence after stoma surgery

After years of suffering uncontrolled Ulcerative Colitis, Dan Callaghan underwent stoma surgery in the hope of getting his health back on track. Exercise and fitness had always been a big part of Dan’s life and this wasn’t something he…

Percutaneous Endoscopic Colostomy (PEC)

A Percutaneous Endoscopic Colostomy (PEC) is carried out to help relieve severe bowel problems. An incision is made into the colon and a tube is inserted, through which patients can irrigate their colon once or twice a day. It offers an…

The Wide Awake Club

Elaina Cutting joined the Bladder and Bowel Community Support Facebook group after experiencing bowel issues and hoping to find others who understood what she was going through. After a particularly bad night, she reached out to see if…

Natalie’s Bowel Cancer Story

Natalie, 39 from London was diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer at the age of 36. The cancer had grown extensively and even after intense chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments, she ended up undergoing Pelvic Exenteration surgery, which…

Toilet positions To Relieve Constipation

Trying to maintain a good toilet position may be useful for people that find it difficult to pass a stool, who strain when defecating or who suffer from constipation. There is no right or wrong way to sit on the toilet; however the…

Stoma Complications

From time to time stoma patients may experience stoma problems. The majority of these issues are not serious and can be resolved relatively quickly by adjusting part of your routine, swapping to a new product or altering your diet slightly.…

What Is A Stoma?

A stoma is an opening on the abdomen that can be connected to either your digestive or urinary system to allow waste (urine or faeces) to be diverted out of your body. It looks like a small, pinkish, circular piece of flesh that is sewn to…

Why ERIC, The Children’s Bowel & Bladder Charity exists

Having a child with a bladder or bowel issue can be scary and frustrating for both the child and parents/guardians, especially when it can take multiple trips to a GP and/or a lengthy amount of time to get a formal diagnosis. It can be

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.

Diabetes Week

This week is Diabetes Week and Diabetes UK are working to raise awareness of the condition and demolish some of the myths and stigmas that are associated with the disease. Diabetes is a condition where your blood sugar levels rise

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

World Cancer Day, A Letter To My Cancer

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.

Running To Raise Awareness of IBS

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

My IBD Story – Crohn’s and Colitis Awareness Week

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…

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…

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.

What Is A Fistula & How Does It Affect Me

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…

Muneeb Akhtar – My Crohn’s Disease Story

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.

Rocking Two Stomas…Rachel’s Story

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…

Happy 70th Birthday NHS

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

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,…

Coping With Incontinence Following A Stroke

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.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

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…

Your Guide To Misdiagnosis Of Bowel Conditions

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…

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…

Bowel Cancer Awareness Month

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.

Autism Awareness Week

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…

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.

Get 10% OFF Home Stool Test Kit

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…

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.

How To Travel Happily With Bladder & Bowel Conditions

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…

The Role of a Stoma Nurse

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.…

#WorldCancerDay – United against Cancer

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…

NHS Trusts Bladder And Bowel Events February 2018

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…

Request A FREE Colostomy Pouch Sample From CliniMed

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,…

How To Change A Stoma Bag

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.

Stoma Reversal

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…

A Shelf and A Hook

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…

RSM Event – Ageing Syndromes

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

Grow a Beard and Help Beat Bowel Bowel

Calling all men! Ditch the razor this month, create a little extra winter warmth for your face and help raise awareness of bowel cancer. Yes this month is Decembeard!