Background

Functional bowel disorders (FBDs) are a group of medical conditions that affect the normal functioning of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract without any apparent structural or biochemical abnormalities. These disorders are common, affecting over 25% of UK adults¹. The term “functional” means that the disorder is primarily related to how the GI tract functions rather than any specific physical damage or disease.

Some common functional bowel disorders include:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) – IBS causes abdominal pain or discomfort, along with changes in bowel habits, such as diarrhoea (IBS-D) constipation (IBS-C) or alternating between the two (mixed IBS).
• Functional Constipation – infrequent bowel movements, difficulty passing stools, and a feeling of incomplete emptying.
• Functional Diarrhoea – frequent loose or watery stools without any identifiable cause.
• Evacuatory Dysfunction – difficulty in passing stools, often associated with excessive straining and a feeling of incomplete evacuation.
• Faecal incontinence – the accidental passage of stool from the rectum.

In clinical practice, symptom overlap is common among patients. They frequently speak of the considerable burden these conditions have on various aspects of their lives, including relationships, overall health, and ability to work. These insights led to the development of the PERSPECTIVE study.

The PERSPECTIVE study has explored the impact of the aforementioned FBDs on patient’s lifestyle, including their real-world experience of using transanal irrigation (TAI) to manage these symptoms. This study differs from previous studies as it has explored a wider range of FBDs. This article will discuss the results regarding TAI usage.

Method

A total of 4,794 individuals were invited to participate in the study from two existing cohorts of people, sourced from two existing databases:

1.  ContactME-IBS – a dedicated national registry (NHS owned) for individuals who self-identify as having any type of IBS. People sign up to receive information about research opportunities, without any obligation to participate. This provided access to over 4,000 individuals from both primary and secondary care.
2. Durham Transanal Irrigation database, which had over 200 TAI users, all seen in secondary care.

Data from 933 respondents were captured through a single online questionnaire. Among them, 183 (20%) had experience of using TAI, and 110 (60%) continue to use it.

Results

In the study, females were primarily irrigating for constipation-related symptoms (43, 44%), while males used it predominantly for diarrhoea or mixed-type symptoms (9, 82%).

Respondents often faced delays in starting TAI, with 48 (44%) reporting symptoms for 10 or more years before beginning treatment. This delay could be attributed to various factors such as the time it takes to access specialist services. There is a need to increase awareness around bowel dysfunction and the benefits of treatments to address this issue.

Respondents were asked to rate how effective TAI was for them at 3, 6, and 12 months using a scale of 0 (no benefit) to 10 (excellent). At 3 and 6 months there was a positive correlation, meaning that if TAI was effective at 3 months, it was likely to still be relieving symptoms at 6 months. In fact, the trend for effectiveness continued up to 12 months. So, TAI being effective at 3 months is a good indicator of longer-term effectiveness.

In fact, the findings suggest long -term effectiveness way beyond the 12- month period explored. The majority of respondents (58, 53%) had been irrigating for 3 or more years and 33 (30%) had been irrigating for even longer (5-10 years). Since TAI requires time and commitment, it is reasonable to conclude that patients will continue to use it if they are finding it beneficial in relieving their bowel symptoms. Hence, long -term use suggests long-term effectiveness.

TAI is an effective treatment for all types of FBDs. The 60% success rate in PERSPECTIVE is similar to that of other studies^3,4.

Interestingly, when we examined the data around those who continued irrigating and those who had stopped, we discovered that respondents with diarrhoea-related symptoms (IBS-D, functional diarrhoea, or faecal incontinence) were the highest proportion which continued using TAI (74%, 26). Among this group, a considerable percentage (77%) also reported faecal incontinence. Perhaps the burden of faecal incontinence contributes to the continued use of irrigation as a treatment option.

Implications for practice

The PERSPECTIVE results have significant implications for both patients and healthcare professionals:

• Patients with a wide range of FBDs can benefit from irrigation.
• Patients with IBS-D, diarrhoea, and faecal incontinence in particular, find irrigation beneficial.
• Reassurance for patients – that the therapeutic effects of TAI will not diminish over time, as observed with other treatments such as laxatives.
• Effective TAI can create clinical capacity – longer term efficacy means that healthcare professionals can confidently discharge patients back to GP care. Thereby freeing up valuable clinical resources and capacity, enabling more patients to be treated.
• Encourage patients to persevere with irrigation for up to 3 months, as per the follow up regime proposed by Emmanuel et al². After which time, if it’s beneficial continue, if not then stop.
• If irrigation does not give satisfactory results after the initial 3 month-period, refer back to the multidisciplinary team for further advice, aligning with the follow-up recommendations proposed by Emmanuel et al².
• These approaches streamline what is currently a convoluted journey for patients to access specialist treatment.

This post was written by Michelle Henderson, Clinical Education Manager, MacGregor Healthcare.

The post Insights from the PERSPECTIVE* Study: Using Transanal Irrigation for Functional Bowel Disorders – What are the Implications for Practice? appeared first on Bladder & Bowel UK.

• Am I the only person who has a bladder or bowel issue?
• Who can I speak to about my bladder or bowel problem?
• Do children and young people experience bladder or bowel problems?
• Are continence products the only answer?
• Where can I get reliable help or advice?

At Bladder & Bowel UK we are contacted by people of different ages and stages of life with a wide range of questions and concerns regarding bladder and bowel difficulties. While our team of specialist nurses and product co-ordinator are happy to respond to individual enquiries, we felt it might be helpful to address some of the more common questions we are asked. 

So who is affected with bladder and/or bowel problems?

Bladder and bowel problems are very common and can affect anyone at any stage of life. Many people find it difficult to discuss their symptoms with anyone, including their healthcare professional. However it is important to know that much can be done to treat, manage and improve issues and it is important not to just put up with symptoms, as help is available.

Your GP, practice nurse or other healthcare professional will be used to having conversations about issues that you might find difficult and should respond to you sensitively and with practical suggestions. They will also be able to refer you to the right specialist service, if they feel this is needed.

What about children?

Many children and young people are affected by bladder and bowel issues. These do not always just get better with time. The most frequently occurring problems are difficulties with toilet training, wetting in the day or at night, constipation and/or soiling.

Sometimes it is assumed that wetting, soiling, or rushing to the toilet is due to naughtiness, laziness or an inevitable part of a disability. However this is very rarely the case. Therefore, all children and young people with a bladder/bowel problem, including those who have additional needs, should be offered an assessment, support, and appropriate treatment as the issues often do not simply get better as children get older.

Bladder & Bowel UK Top tips

Seek professional help if you have symptoms.

We would always encourage people to seek professional advice and help about any bladder and/or bowel problems. Much can be done that may cure or improve the issues. Your healthcare professional should be able to offer an assessment or refer you to a specialist service. This will then help indicate the underlying cause and the most appropriate treatment or management options.

Is it to do with my age?

Bladder problems can affect children, young people, men and women of any age. It is not an inevitable part of being young, getting older or having a disability or medical condition. Therefore, please do not put up with bladder and bowel incontinence or difficulties emptying your bladder or bowel.

How do I access help?

You could talk to your GP or other healthcare practitioner, eg. practice nurse, district nurse. For children you could also contact their school nurse or health visitor. If necessary they will refer you onto the right service to offer the right support.

There are specialist bladder and bowel services for adults in most places in the UK and many areas also have specialist services for children. You may need to be referred by your healthcare professional, although some may accept self-referrals.

Alternatively, complete the Bladder & Bowel UK webform (https://www.bbuk.org.uk/enquiries/) and we may be able to offer some initial advice and will help you get in touch with a professional, who will understand and be able to offer assessment and management.

What help can these services offer me?

Bladder and bowel services offer specialist advice, assessment, treatment, management and support to adults or children and young people experiencing bladder and bowel problems. 

Examples of the types of problems that bladder and bowel services may help with include  

• Urinary incontinence (leaking urine) or difficulty emptying the bladder.
• Waking up more than a couple of times in the night to pass urine or wetting the bed during sleep.
• Needing to go to the toilet more frequently or urgently than is usual.
• Pelvic floor disorders.
• Prostate problems.
• Toilet training issues.
• Constipation.
• Faecal incontinence (soiling) or difficulty controlling bowel movements.
• Difficulty emptying or fully emptying the bowel.
• Difficulty getting to the toilet due to disability or another health condition.

Where will I be seen?

Bladder and bowel services usually offer clinic appointments across their NHS areas. Home visits may be arranged for people who are housebound. Your doctor or health care professional will be able to put you in contact with your local service. You can also contact Bladder & Bowel UK for information about how to access your local service.  

What will happen when I am seen?

You will be offered an assessment, to help your professional understand the bladder and/or bowel problem. You may be asked to fill in bladder and or bowel diaries before the assessment, as they will help to identify what is happening. In some cases further tests may be required. The outcome of the assessment will explained to you and the healthcare professional will then discuss the options for treatment or management with you. 

What options are there if I am not able to be fully continent?

Many continence problems are treatable, or can at least be improved. However, it is not always possible to fully treat or cure incontinence. Therefore, it may be that following a full assessment from a specialist healthcare professional, it is agreed that alternative solutions for managing incontinence are the best option in the circumstances. 

A wide range of products, devices and appliances is available. No single one will suit everyone’s needs and it is not uncommon for people to use a combination of products eg. containment pads along with aids to assist with toileting. 

Examples of the types of products available include:

• Bedding and chair protection.
• Bowel irrigation devices.
• Bowel/faecal leakage management devices.
• Catheters, which may be used with drainage bags.
• Urinary sheaths and body worn appliances for boys and men.
• Pelvic floor equipment.
• Swimwear.
• Toilets and Commodes.
• Urinals (male and female).
• Disposable and washable pads and pants.

It is important to remember that there are a number of options that may help cure or at least improve bladder and bowel symptoms. Therefore Bladder & Bowel UK would always recommend discussing any issues with your healthcare professional (GP, practice nurse, or health visitor or school nurse for children).   

Bladder & Bowel UK may be able to provide initial help, advice, support and information as well as signposting to services and other organisations.

We can be contacted via our web form at https://www.bbuk.org.uk/enquiries/

Find more Bladder & Bowel UK resources here: Information library for adults – Bladder & Bowel UK (bbuk.org.uk)

The post Common Questions and Concerns regarding Bladder and Bowel Health Issues appeared first on Bladder & Bowel UK.

Part of our work at the Bowel Interest Group is to raise awareness about the need for improved bowel care management within healthcare services and promote better bowel health. The financial impact of poor management cannot be ignored, with the group estimating that constipation cost NHS England an alarming £168 million in the year 2018-2019.[1] The stigma surrounding bowel problems plays a significant part in delaying treatment once symptoms appear, and when patients do finally seek treatment, healthcare professionals may be ill-equipped to deal with chronic bowel dysfunction.

Alleviating pressure on the NHS will require action on both the primary and secondary care front, to speed up treatment and strengthen understanding of bowel issues, promoting better bowel health. Yet, both these endeavours will require some form of investment from healthcare establishments who must carefully allocate available funding. So how should healthcare professionals wanting to make a positive impact for their patients go about making a business case for better bowel care? Here, we’ve outlined four steps you can take to help get things moving within your own establishment.

Step 1: Reach out for support

If you are a healthcare professional working in bowel, colorectal, gastroenterology, neurology or A&E, it is likely that you have a sound understanding of where improvements need to be made. Nonetheless, you will most likely need to get extra support during the pitching and planning process. Start by reaching out to other stakeholders. By getting other departments and teams involved, not only will your business case be more robust but you’ll have an easier time implementing these changes and making them work in the long run.

Think about who will be impacted by your proposed changes. For instance, you may wish to begin speaking with Clinical Leads (Consultant), Clinical Implementors (Nursing/Physio), Business Managers, Directorate Managers, Finance Managers, and if necessary, the Estates department. Crucially, you will also need to consider who will be paying for the project if your proposal is accepted – be aware that you may need to seek external finance if your employer is unable to afford the investment.

Step 2: Work out the required budget

Next, take ownership of working out both the financial cost and the cost saving benefit of your proposal – don’t leave it up to the payer to work this out. You should make your calculations as thorough and accurate as possible. For this part, it’s always a good idea to reach out to business and finance experts rather than trying to do this on your own.

You should be answering the following questions: how much capital is needed to achieve these set goals? How will you demonstrate the positive impact of the investment once it is implemented? You will be in a better position if you can demonstrate that the investment will eventually become self-paying by reducing the overall cost of chronic bowel dysfunction treatment on the establishment.

Finally, it’s helpful to suggest a variety of options in case the full investment is ruled out. Put together a few alternative routes for what could be achieved with only part of the funding. Lay down the benefits and costs of each option clearly and concisely, including the outcome from making no changes at all: what would be the risk of failing to deal with the problem proactively and not implementing your proposed solution?

Step 3: Map out a timeline

The impact of your project is unlikely to be immediate. To avoid setting investor expectations too high, be sure to clearly map out a realistic timeline of expected outcomes. In this way, they’ll know when to expect the project to be running at full capacity and delivering results.

You should also break down the impact of the proposed solution by department; this will demonstrate awareness of the wider effects on the organisation as well as the importance of keeping KPIs healthy within each division. Additionally, review how much training and resources will need to be allocated to each department involved in implementing the solution.

Step 4: Make your case

When presenting your business case and all its options, conclude by recommending the best course of action and use your research to back up this decision. Leave out any subjective claims and dive straight into the measurable outcomes that this route would deliver. We would also suggest mentioning stakeholders that you have partnered with to put together this business case. This will add weight to your argument and may even act as a tipping point for your potential investors.

Find the Bowel Interest Group’s how-to guide on making a business case here: https://bowelinterestgroup.co.uk/resources/business-cases-for-better-bowel-care-a-how-to-guide/

[1] Bowel Interest Group, Cost of Constipation, 2020 : https://bowelinterestgroup.co.uk/resources/cost-of-constipation-report-2020/

If you are experiencing bowel issues or would like more information to promote better bowel health, please contact Bladder & Bowel UK’s helpline on 0161 214 4591.

The post Better bowel health: how to make a business case in four steps appeared first on Bladder & Bowel UK.

The Bladder & Bowel UK helpline

At Bladder & Bowel UK we operate a helpline for the general public and health professionals which involves email and telephone contact. This is usually appropriate for clinical and product questions involving one person.

Social media

For other purposes Bladder & Bowel UK fully engage with social media platforms including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn when promoting study days, events and key messages from the Bladder & Bowel speciality.

Bladder & Bowel UK newsletter

As specialist nurses at Bladder & Bowel UK, we are involved in many national groups and projects so by following us on social media and subscribing to our newsletter, it allows you to keep in touch with important initiatives and updates. Learning as you go, aiding personal and service development. You can sign up to our newsletter via the Bladder & Bowel UK homepage on the right-hand side: www.bbuk.org.uk.

Of course, this is a two-way system so if you follow or link with Bladder & Bowel UK we can also see what is happening in the NHS services and help promote good practice across the UK. By joining forces on these platforms, we learn together.

The ultimate aim of everyone promoting continence and good practice by improved communication in any form is to improve patient care and improve the focus on bladder and bowel health.

Bladder & Bowel UK blog

Our blog shares information, support and guidance on bladder and bowel conditions that children, young people and adults face. We focus on a number of topics including: education, travel, parenting etc. We are always looking for people who would like to share their story about a bladder and/or bowel problem. Take a look at our blog via www.bbuk.org.uk/blog

Communicating with you is important to us. For more information about any of our services please email: bbuk@disabledliving.co.uk or give us a call on 0161 214 4591. We look forward to hearing from you.

This post was written by Joanne Hoyle, Continence Specialist Nurse at Bladder & Bowel UK.

The post How Bladder & Bowel UK can communicate with you appeared first on Bladder & Bowel UK.

To maintain or achieve a healthy bladder you need to keep hydrated. A large factor in this is the amount and type of fluid that you drink.

A general guide is that an adult should drink around 1500-2000ml of fluid per 24 hours. It is important to drink this amount throughout a 24 hour period, spreading the amount of fluid throughout the day rather than have a large amount at one time.

A healthy bladder should empty between 4-8 times in 24 hours. Urine should be almost straw coloured, if yellow or darker you need to drink more.

Fluids that are good for your bladder:

• Water
• Milk
• Diluted cordial / squash drinks
• Decaffeinated tea and coffee
• Fruity and herbal teas

Fluids to avoid include:

• Alcoholic drinks
• Caffeinated drinks including hot chocolate, tea and coffee
• Fizzy drinks

Other advice:

• Females should sit on the toilet to empty your bladder – do not hover
• Take time to allow your bladder to empty completely
• Do not empty your bladder “just in case”
• Empty your bladder just prior to going to sleep

Seek guidance from your GP if you experience:

• Pain when passing urine
• Pass blood in your urine
• Notice you are passing urine more frequently or the urge to pass urine is stronger than usual
• It takes you longer to have a wee

If you have any concerns about your bladder, including an altered bowel habit, please consult with your GP. If you want any more information, then please contact Bladder & Bowel UK’s helpline today.

Written by Joanne Hoyle, Specialist Nurse at Bladder & Bowel UK (part of Disabled Living)

The post How to keep your bladder healthy appeared first on Bladder & Bowel UK.

Bladder and bowel problems among adults are not uncommon, affecting both males and females of all ages. Some common bladder problems may include bladder leakage (incontinence), bedwetting or difficulties emptying the bladder. Some common bowel problems may include leakage (faecal incontinence), constipation and difficulties emptying the bowel. 

Having a bladder or bowel problem (or both), can cause embarrassment, anxiety and distress, often having a major impact on an individual’s quality of life. Often people are reluctant to discuss their symptoms with anyone. But it’s important to know that much can be done to treat, manage and improve symptoms. It’s important to discuss any problems with local healthcare professionals to ease the taboo around this subject. World Continence Week 2018 gives everyone an insight into seeking help, talking more openly about problems and raising the profile of services that can help.

Experiencing bladder and bowel problems can affect an individual in many ways including social, psychological and financial. Many feel that they can’t take part in hobbies and sport any longer. Some people will avoid social occasions due to self esteem issues and embarrassment.

Advice, support, and practical help

Here at Bladder & Bowel UK, we can offer advice, support and practical help to individuals who are experiencing problems alongside their families, carers and healthcare professionals. Advice is available from adult and child Specialist Nurses.

There are several types of urinary incontinence. But the most common types include stress incontinence, (leaking on coughing, exercise or sneezing), urgency or dashing to the toilet, urge incontinence, mixed incontinence, overflow incontinence, difficulties emptying the bladder and functional incontinence.

Other bladder problems that do not involve leakage can include the need to pass urine frequently, urgently and an increase need to pass urine during the night.

Bladder & bowel problems in childhood and young people

Bladder and bowel problems in childhood and young people are very common. Problems including difficulties with toilet training, wetting, constipation and/or soiling affect up to 28% of all children and adolescents at any one time. Younger children are affected more often than older children. But problems can happen at any age. Parents or carers often feel as if their child is the only one suffering, as nobody talks about it.

We can also suggest how to approach your child’s GP, health visitor, school nurse, or other healthcare professional for treatment if appropriate. They should be able to offer individual assessment and treatment or refer you to a specialist for this, if necessary.

Bladder problems affect children and young people of all ages. The commonest problem is night time wetting. However, children and adolescents can also be affected by wetting during the day, having to rush to get to the toilet (urgency), or having to go to the toilet more often than is normal (frequency) or a combination of any or all of these. Less common problems include urinary tract infections (UTI).

Initially it can be difficult to understand why a child or young person has a problem with their bladder and sometimes parents or carers might think it is a behavioural problem, or that their child is being lazy.

Most children are dry in the day by the time they are three-years-old and at night by the time they are five. If a child has additional needs, it may be thought any delays in achieving dryness are related to the disability. However, all children with daytime wetting, frequency, urgency or any bladder difficulty should be offered an assessment and treatment if appropriate.

How can Bladder & Bowel UK help?

Helpline services including signposting to local specialist services, product advice, generic clinical advice and support.

How can we be contacted?

The helpline is available Monday to Friday, 9.00am – 4.00pm on 0161 214 4591. We are also contactable by email: bbuk@disabledliving.co.uk.

So, who contacts us?

Anyone concerned by a bladder or bowel problem may contact us for help and advice. This includes the general public, relatives, carers, health and social care professionals and other groups such as teachers or organisations such as charities and support groups.

Duration of calls we receive?

We receive a large number of calls each day to both the helpline or via our email service. Enquiries range from a quick question being answered. But more often are more detailed, requiring us to dedicate time with the caller, to go through their concerns or query.

Why do people contact us?

We are contacted for a number of reasons. Some request information on continence products, aids and appliances. Some are looking for local bladder and bowel services and are surprised when we inform them that things can be done to treat, improve or better manage their situation. We always try to suggest that people present for continence assessment and to signpost or put people in touch with their local services, so they can access the help they need locally. We may also signpost to other charities or organisations. Health and social care professionals may be looking for information or training, which we also provide.

We always try to ensure that people accessing our services are informed and directed to other appropriate services, such as NHS specialist bladder and bowel services for further help.

We always encourage an individual or family member to speak to someone, GP, Continence Specialist Nurse, District Nurse or other healthcare professional.

The post How we can support you during World Continence Week appeared first on Bladder & Bowel UK.

The summer is upon us and with it a whole host of national sporting events; The World Cup, Wimbledon and the Open to mention a few. There will be some professionals taking part in these major events who will be experiencing bladder or bowel problems, as these are often a hidden problem and rarely visible to others.

Sport is such a brilliant way of maintain physical fitness and well-being alongside, in many cases, having a pleasurable and social aspect. However, how many people experience bladder and bowel problems that affect their participation in sport? Some people, especially ladies but some gents, experience stress incontinence during exercise which can affect their motivation for taking part due to embarrassment and discomfort. It is, also, true that many who never experience incontinence but may experience for example urinary urgency or constipation are restricted by their bladder and bowel conditions when considering participation in sporting activities.

Lifestyle activities

It is essential as part of an overall holistic continence assessment to ask about lifestyle activities, current and any that maybe the individual does not feel able to be part of any longer. It may be a post natal lady who has stopped her aerobics class due to stress incontinence. Through proactive management, advice and support individuals can get back to sports and hobbies they like or seek alternatives when functionality of the bladder, bowel and pelvic floor are explained. It is advisable for anyone experiencing pelvic floor muscle weakness to switch from a high impact sport to a low impact sport. Advice should, also, be given on how to prepare for sporting activities to prevent discomfort, leakage etc during the activity.

Maybe some individuals prefer to be spectators of sport and this activity can, also, be affected by bladder and bowel problems as it may mean not been close to a toilet or lack of public toilets and facilities. Bladder & Bowel UK has produced a ‘Just Can’t Wait’ card that is available to individuals who feel they need to access toilets urgently, frequently in the absence of the availability of public toilets.

Promoting support and advice

We need to be as proactive as possible as continence professionals in promoting support and advice as much as possible to enable continuation of positive involvement in sport for those who want to take part and those who enjoy watching sport. Encourage individuals to seek help to enhance quality of life to continue and return to a sport they enjoy!

Let’s hope the sportsmen and women from the UK do us proud!

The post Bladder and bowel problems that affect participation in sport appeared first on Bladder & Bowel UK.

It was wonderful to see so many healthcare professionals attending this year’s annual Bladder & Bowel UK Symposium, which is held at the Bolton Arena. This year’s conference attracted over 160 delegates, who despite some adverse weather conditions, travelled from all over the UK.

The conference enables us to welcome both new and regular attending delegates, providing all with an opportunity to participate in valuable networking attend lectures and view the extensive exhibition, updating our clinical knowledge on continence, bladder and bowel products and information.

Specialist nurse – This event has enabled me to gain greater knowledge  and understanding on continence topics.

For those of you who have never attended the symposium, it may be of use to know what it’s all about, who attends the event, and what’s on offer if you decide to come along next year.

Who attends our national Symposium?

Firstly, all the Bladder & Bowel UK team attend the event, we always look forward to catching up with everyone from delegates and exhibitors to update you of what’s happening with us, not only at Bladder & Bowel UK, but also across the other wider services our charity Disabled Living provide.

Physiotherapist – It helps me expand my knowledge and keep up to date on latest products.

Healthcare professionals come from a variety of backgrounds including nursing, specialist nursing services, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy, Scientists, Pharmacists and Doctors.

The Symposium hosts three, concurrent educational streams

These are: Adult Bladder, Adult Bowel, and Children and Young People Bladder and Bowel.  Lectures cover a wide range of clinical / patient experience /project presentations to name but a few.  Delegates are able to choose to attend any of the lectures, with speakers in attendance from both local and national experts in this specialist field.

Lectures this year included Male Lower Tract Symptoms and Prostate Cancer, The Modern Management of Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, Nocturnal Enuresis, Managing the Difficultly to Treat Children, Poo passport, The Challenges of Promoting and Maintaining Continence in the Older Age Population… It’s not always hi tech.

Medicines management lead pharmacist – The day has helped me improve my understanding of bladder and bowel care and understand services better.

Other lectures included: Digital Rectal Examination and Assessment, Daytime Wetting, Complexities of ISC, Multicultural Society and the Practicalities, The Role of Biofeedback in Bowel/Pelvic Floor Dysfunction, IBD in Younger People and The Law and the Nurse. We always welcome feedback and suggestions for future conference and events, after all this day are for you and your continued professional development.

The exhibition is a hive of activity

It enables delegates to network and chat with a variety of exhibitors, who were on hand, to update clinicians on products that are available to people with bladder and bowel problems.  The exhibition also has other bladder and bowel charity representation, along with professional organisation representation. Lunch break also provides us valuable networking time with colleagues.

Bladder & Bowel UK also have an annual Bowel Care Award sponsored by Coloplast. The winner is announced on the day and is also programmed to speak at the conference, sharing the work they have received recognition for. Entrants are submitted from all over the country from a wide range of Adult, Children and Young Peoples Services. It’s always super to see the wonderful work/projects that are submitted, informing what’s currently happening in practice, all which have a key aim of improving patient care.

All in all, it was a super day that evaluated well. Next year’s Symposium is taking place on Wednesday 6th March 2019. Click here for more information. We hope to see you next year.

The post Bladder & Bowel UK’s National Symposium 2018 appeared first on Bladder & Bowel UK.

Seminar: Managing Continence in Schools

Children with disabilities are also more likely to have problems with daytime wetting, constipation and soiling after toilet training. All of these can be difficult to manage at home and even more so at school.  In recognition of this, Davina Richardson, Children’s Continence Nurse at Bladder & Bowel UK will be delivering a seminar on Managing Continence in Schools at this year’s Kidz to Adultz Middle on Thursday 15^th March. The seminar is aimed at parents, carers and professionals who work with children who attend mainstream or special schools and have a continence problem. Have a look at the Show Guide for more information about this and the other seminars that are running.

We’ll be on stand E1 at Kidz to Adultz Middle

Davina and Andrea will also be on hand at the Bladder & Bowel UK stand E1 throughout the event to answer any individual questions that parents, carers or professionals may have on any aspect of toilet training, or bladder and bowel health.

We look forward to seeing you there.

The post Speak to our Bladder & Bowel UK team at Kidz to Adultz Middle appeared first on Bladder & Bowel UK.

Often families are advised that they should not worry about toilet training until the child appears to be ready for this stage of learning. However, there is no clear definition of what is meant by ‘being ready’. There are some signs that are quoted, such as knowing when their nappy needs changing, asking to wear normal pants, or asking for the toilet. Children do not often reach this stage by themselves and many will not understand that they should be doing something different from what they have been doing since they were born. For many, signs of readiness for toilet training are not present until the children have actually started a toilet training programme.

What we suggest

At Bladder & Bowel UK, we suggest that toilet training should be started early for most children, including those with disabilities. To toilet train a child needs to learn a set of skills including communicating the need to go, managing their clothes and learning to sit on the toilet or potty. With appropriate support children can start to learn these skills from their second year. Toilet training does not necessarily get easier as children get older – it might get more difficult if they don’t see why they need to change something that is working well for them.

If toilet training is delayed, for whatever reason, children should be offered assessment to ensure that their bladder and bowel are healthy. Children with disabilities are more prone to constipation, which may in turn cause bladder problems. Without assessment these problems may be missed.

Further support

For children who need assistance with using the toilet or who need to be changed, there are disabled toilets in the community, which have more space, privacy and are quieter than public toilets. Most of these are part of the National Key Scheme and can be accessed independently by people with disabilities who have a RADAR key.  Keys can be purchased from Disability Rights UK. There are also toilets with adult-sized hoists and changing beds.  These are known as Changing Places. To see a full list of these visit their website.

Speak to your child’s health care professional if you are concerned about your child’s toilet training or would like support. There is also information about toilet training on the Bladder and Bowel UK website available here.

You may also contact our confidential helpline at email: bbuk@disabledliving.co.uk or on telephone number 0161 214 4591.

The post Raising awareness of toilet training children with disabilities appeared first on Bladder & Bowel UK.