The bowels are closely linked to your bladder. Therefore, if you are having some issues with your bowels this could also be contributing to any bladder symptoms that you may be experiencing.
This is an area that we currently do not treat within the Physiotherapy Service in NHS Lothian, however, please look through the below information as it may be of some use to you.
Common bowel problems include uncontrollable wind, constipation, faecal urge incontinence, diarrhoea or loose stool and rectal prolapse.
Why do people get bowel problems?
Bowel problems are common for people of all ages. There is not always an obvious cause. Things that can affect your bowels are:
- The sorts of foods you eat
- Caffeinated, alcoholic or fizzy drinks
- Some medication, health or postoperative conditions
- Pregnancy and childbirth
- Stress or anxiety
- Poor mobility or dexterity
- Weakness or over-activity in the pelvic floor muscles
Constipation
Constipation is a common condition that affects people of all ages. It can mean that you are not passing bowel movements (stools) regularly or you’re unable to completely empty your bowel. Constipation can also cause your stools to be hard and lumpy, as well as unusually large or small. The severity of constipation varies from person to person. Many people only experience constipation for a short time, but for others, constipation can be a long-term (chronic) condition that can cause significant pain and discomfort and affects quality of life.
What can you do?
- Aim to eat a varied healthy diet.
- Try to drink 1.5-2 litres of water based fluids every day.
- Read POGP Improving Bowel Function
- Read this NHS Lothian management of constipation leaflet
- Read this NHS Lothian physiotherapy for bowel problems leaflet
- Try some of the dietary tips in this BDA IBS leaflet from the British Dietetics Association (BDA)
- Improve the way you sit on the toilet. This is a simple but very effective way of helping your bowels to move easily. Watch the Toilet Positioning video for more information on this.
- Try to adopt the correct position for opening your bowels while sitting on the toilet.
Faecal Incontinence
Faecal Incontinence is a distressing condition which means stool leaks from the back passage. This can happen without warning, or can be associated with an urge to move your bowels but being unable to make it to the toilet.
What can you do?
- Strengthen the muscles around the back passage by doing these Sphincter exercises
- Strengthening the pelvic floor muscles can also help. Read through the attached links for further information: (Pelvic floor exercises assigned male at birth); (Pelvic floor exercises assigned female at birth Pelvic Floor Muscles | POGP).
- Empty your bowel properly by sitting properly on the toilet. See the Toilet Positioning video for more information on this
- Try to adopt the correct position for opening your bowels while sitting on the toilet.
- Sometimes medication can be used, talk to your GP or Pharmacist about this.
- Order a Just Can’t Wait card to use when out and about. This allows you quick access to toilets.
- You can purchase something called a Radar Key, this can give you access to locked disabled toilets when out and about.
Rectal Prolapse
Rectal Prolapse is where the lining of the rectum descends, and can even protrude from the anus.
What can you do?
- Strengthen the pelvic floor muscles around the back passage by doing these Sphincter exercises
- Avoid straining when emptying your bowels. Use a footstool under your feet Toilet Positioning video
There are some things that you could do to help yourself:
- Slowly cut down your caffeine intake e.g. coffee, tea, cola and irn-bru
- Eat a healthy diet containing fresh fruit and vegetables.
- Try to drink between 1-2 litres of fluids per day.
- Keep active and maintain a healthy weight.
- Do specific exercises, which will improve the strength and control of your pelvic floor muscles.
Try not to worry but do seek help from your GP if your condition does not improve or gets worse.
