Conditions
Bowel Incontinence
It is said that bowel incontinence (sometimes called faecal or anal incontinence) is a sign or a symptom, not a diagnosis. It is the uncontrolled loss of solid or liquid stools, or wind (gas) with leakage, which occurs when the sphincter muscles and nerves in and around the rectum and anal canal are damaged (e.g. after childbirth or surgery), or become weaker (with age). Bowel incontinence affects 1% to 10% of adults and can seriously affect quality of life for most sufferers. Due to the nature of the condition it has largely been a hidden problem, with sufferers too embarrassed or ashamed to tell anyone about their symptoms. Bowel incontinence can affect anyone, but it is much more common in older people, particularly those with long-term health and mobility problems. There are a number of treatments for bowel incontinence (non-surgical and surgical) depending on the cause of the problem.
Comments
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Please note: Unfortunately Channel 4 cannot respond to individual inquiries. If you have any concerns, you can check out the Channel 4 Health site or NHS Choices, but ultimately it is always best to check with a health professional.
Hi, im a 21 year old female, when having sex i find it very painful and many ocasions, I have to stop. This is putting a little strain on my relationship and Im still not sure why sex hurts so much. Can you help?
Hi #i ham a 27yr old male, after I have been for a poo, and wiped clean, a little later I have to go back to wipe again. It is very annoyning, please advise.
Hi my daughter does not go to the toilet for a poo, when younger she had treatment including enema's and lactulose etc. She has become against going to the toilet she is now 14 and the only way the poo releases from her body is in the night when she has no control her bowls.
Please could you give me some advice on what to do as she is really against going to the toilet.
Hi Im Trisha, I have 2 children and after having my first child 6 years ago i have had a problem in regular bowel movement. I go 1 week maybe 2 without going.
I have had a good few accidents while i have been out and about as when i do feel the need to go i cant hold it. I have been to see the doctor before and he has said there is nothing wrong after checking me over and having tests. The doctor told me to eat more fruit and veg and that has not helped.
Please help
Hi, I am 21 years old who as a son aged 2, since having him I have very much difficulty goin to the toliet. I have had stomach and cramp pains, constipation, bowel syndrome and also I have had x-rays on my large intensine and around the stomach area. My doctor has provided too many different medications now and nothing else is being done, but I am really concerned has I have not been to the toilet for nearly two weeks and feel bad pressure in my stomach,plus, having bloated affects and sometimes pains by my bellybutton shooting down near the pelvis area or sometimes all over.
Please help!!
i am 47 female 4 kids sexually active but not wanting to be so more, i can mess myself after passing wind quiet easily, i can get desperate to go to a bathroom and try to hold on but most times i cant and i would mess my self. often i would feel a pellet or two coming out and yep if i check it has, but the worse one was 2yrs ago during sex the tension and sexualities were so enormous i messed myself everywhere had to shower partner and i, now i have a new partner, and well we like to share with others safely, but i flippen messed myself again, i had no idea it was as bad as it had been said back to me, but , actually i had no idea. now im so embarrassed i don't even want sex now, not at all and want to leave my partner,
I am now at the point were i hate going anywhere shopping with kids and stuff, cause i have to then rush home and change or sometimes to the point of showering, one was so bad, i had to have my car seat dry cleaned
i don't have pains or upsets. i have had diabetes 2 for 10 yrs now, still uncontrolled in sugar levels. some nerve damage in the feet, but responding to new treatment ok,
at this time i do not have any urine problems unless i have an infection but i have not had one of them for sometime. i can get a slight urgency to go but do make it. at this time
can you help
hi. please help my 3yr old daughter, she has had contsipation since she was 1 and only empties her bowls every 7-10 days despite the large daily amounts of senna and lactalose, now the problem is worse as she is constantly laeking poo and wont go to the toilet she holds it in til it forces its way out, iam so scared this is causing permenant damage to her insides and her docter just fobs me off, yours faithfully a desperate mother.
i go 2 the loo 5 or 6 times a day and its alwys very loose i was told i had ibs but not sure if it is and i cant go out as i always need to go is this in my head or not and if so is thier any 2 help with help to elimnate this out f my head
Hi, im a 22 male and have been suffering from uncontrollable diarrhea after consuming any form of alchoholic drink, Even after one drink at night. It lasts 2 to 3 days every time no fail. This problem has been happening for about 6 months but ive been drinking regularly(every weekend) since i was 17. When not drinking my bowel movements are normall. I cant go to work on affected days and its geting to be a big problem in my life.ive been to see a doctor and he prescribed medication but it didnt help. i dont know what to do or whats wrong with me and i wouldnt choose to give up drinking completely, Please help!
hiya i am 17 years old and i am a bed wetter! i have seen my gp he has given me tablets, but sometimes they don't always work i have been refered to my local hospital but everything they have tried doesn't work so i have given up. i was wandering if there were any sort of opperations i can have for this because it is very embarising, i have a boyfriend but we can't sleep in the same bed because of it. my bedwetting problem has been happening since i have been potty trained please oh please help me your my last hope!!!!
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