Continence matters: Part four
In the final part of our Continence Series, we’ll discuss what a healthy bowel is, what are some common bowel problems and how to get help.
What is a bowel?
The bowel is a tube-like organ that is part of the digestive system.
The digestive system starts at the mouth and finishes at the anus (back passage). The digestive system breaks down and absorbs the food and fluids you consume to provide energy to your body.
The bowel is divided into two parts: the small bowel and the large bowel (also called the small intestines and large intestines respectively).
What are the signs of a healthy bowel?
Being ‘regular’ is a way to describe good bowel habits or normal bowel function. It’s common for people to empty their bowel once a day, although it’s still normal to go more or less often. Being regular means that soft yet well-formed bowel motions are easily passed. This can happen three times a day to three times a week.
There’s more to good bowel function than just being regular. For example:
- You can hold on for a short time after you feel the first urge to go to the toilet
- Pass a bowel motion within about a minute of sitting down on the toilet
- Pass a bowel motion easily and without pain
- Completely empty your bowel when you pass a motion
Some common bowel problems include:
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Feeling that your bowel is not empty after a bowel motion
- Gas or bloating
- Leakage from the back passage (bowel incontinence)
- Urgency (the feeling that you may not make it to the toilet in time)
What is neurogenic bowel?
Neurogenic bowel is the loss of normal bowel function caused by a nerve problem.
Many different and unrelated conditions can cause neurogenic bowel disorder. A spinal cord injury or a neurological condition may damage the nerves that help control the lower part of your colon.
This condition gets in the way of your normal ability to store and get rid of stool waste. It often causes constipation, urgency, stool leakage or accidents.
Where can I get help?
If you have any bowel related concerns, it’s important to talk to your neurologist, MS Nurse or GP about your symptoms.
It’s also important to note that urinary tract infections, pregnancy, childbirth and prostate issues may also affect a person’s bowel, therefore a proper assessment is vital.
MSWA Continence Nurse Specialists can assist you with your concerns or come along to our next Continence Clinics held at various MSWA metro locations. To find out more information visit mswa.org.au/get-involved/events.
