This maybe a weakness in the muscle tone and sphincters essential for continence.. anatomically, the best position to ensure the rectum and anal canal are emptied effectively is to have the knees higher than the hips when sat in a toilet (as long as you have no hip issues). Try balancing your feet o...

Hi Mary There are several devices that may be of help to you, anal plugs which can be worn for several hours continuously, mini irrigation kits which can be used daily to wash out the rectum and anal canal. Cardomen seeds or aloe Vera capsules in the diet can help with excess flatus and bloating. Yo...

Hi Ann The qufora mini system is useful to manage this type of issue, also use of anal plugs which can be worn for 12 hours continuously, another version can be worn for longer. They are not absorbent products but do offer a plug which allows the wearer more control. Also have you ever tried sphinct...

Hi Cat There are anal plugs that can be helpful with leakage, they are not designed to absorb but can plug and allow the wearer more time to reach a bathroom. Your local Bladder & Bowel specialist service may be able to offer further advice and direct you towards samples to try if they are appro...

have you any other bladder or bowel symptoms? Pain, constipation, diarrhoea?? is the bloating feeling always there or is it different at times of day / month? bloating can be exacerbated by dietry intake, but please let us know more detail so we can advise you appropriately

Hi we would really need to understand your symptoms to be able to offer advice. Bladders often learn behaviours that cause problems, there are a lot of things in diet and fluids that also affect bladder health. Also age is a factor for some people. there is a lot of advice for many bladder symptoms ...

Hi There there are lots of causes for loose stools and as Dr Helen suggests, it is worth checking this out with the GP. Lots of foods and drinks can alter bowel habit, too much of the wrong type of fibre will speed up the gut motility resulting in losse stools. It would be worth keeping a food and b...

Hi I would echo Dr Helen's advice and access your local nurse specialist, they can speak with you and your son about management of the issue and find a plan that suits his needs. Your GP surgery should be able to advise who is in your area, most will accept self referrals but some will require a GP ...

Hi Simontink your bowel transit may have slowed and you may be experiencing constipation. make sure you are drinking enough fluid (@ 1.5litres in 24 hours) and look at your diet to ensure you have the balance of soluble & insoluble fibre right (soluble fibre slows the bowel down whereas insolubl...

Hi Catrin Your IBS symptoms will certainly react to surgery, medication and any change to your normal routine. A lot of painkillers given during and following orthopaedic surgery can lead to constipation and increased bloating. Trying to regulate your pattern again may take some time. There are some...