Health Awareness
Bladder and Bowel Q2 2024
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Intestinal health may be improved by a protein complex, originally from human milk
Scientists are exploring a milk protein complex that effectively kills cancer cells and prevents tumour growth — especially in colon cancer. Colon cancer is one of the most common types of cancer — 180,000 cases are diagnosed every year in the US alone — and a leading cause of death worldwide. Patients with colon cancer...
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How to potentially treat bacterial infections — but without using antibiotics
Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a growing danger — one that is made worse by the constant over-prescribing and misuse of antibiotics. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) has declared AMR to be one of the ‘biggest threats to global health, food security and development today’ and has highlighted the need to combat it with...
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Molecular insights can relieve severe symptoms in patients with chronic bladder pain syndrome
The exaggerated pain response in this patient group is very difficult to treat. New approaches are therefore essential. Bladder pain syndrome (BPS), otherwise known as interstitial cystitis, is a chronic and socially debilitating long-term bladder condition, for which specific therapies remain unavailable. Managing bladder pain syndrome effects Symptoms of BPS may come and go, but...
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New drug candidate can improve therapy in bladder cancer patients
A promising drug candidate has positive clinical effects in patients with bladder cancer. The number of tumours and tumour sizes were reduced in a majority of patients treated — and without severe side effects often associated with other treatments. Bladder cancer is a disease which has a high likelihood of returning after treatment. Indeed, after...
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What’s the science behind a reliable microbiome test?
Discover the science behind a reliable and comprehensive microbiome test. Find out how 16S rRNA sequencing enables in-depth insights and why it’s trusted by researchers. The Chuckling Goat microbiome test uses 16S rRNA sequencing, which stands out as the preferred method for investigating the gut microbiome. The 16S rRNA sequencing method is widely recognised for...
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How a home microbiome test can pinpoint pathogens for optimal health
Use a microbiome test to identify any bacterial biofilms that may be hiding in your gut. Uncover 14 pathogens linked to chronic infections, inflammation and autoimmune disease. If you’ve ever had food poisoning, a UTI, a dental or skin infection or a hospital-acquired infection, bacteria may have migrated into your gut and formed a ‘biofilm.’...
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Finding freedom from faecal incontinence through innovative implant
My incontinence journey started 38 years ago. I got diarrhoea occasionally, possibly because of a traumatic delivery giving birth. After several referrals, I received life-changing sacral nerve stimulation treatment. Seven years ago, after a hysterectomy, I had adhesions, and I started to suffer faecal incontinence. Some days, I couldn’t even hold on for the 10-minute...
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How incontinence treatment options can improve lives of patients at any age
Various treatments are available for urinary incontinence. If you have symptoms, don’t put off seeing your GP because treatment could make a big difference to your quality of life. According to NHS England, approximately 14 million people in the UK have some degree of urinary incontinence — a condition linked with a reduced quality of...
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Why prostate cancer aftercare should not be an afterthought
Improved prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment have tripled survivor rates since the 1970s. However, treatments may affect sexual and urinary health, so aftercare options are crucial for quality of life. The two main choices to treat organ-confined prostate cancer are surgery and radiotherapy. Patients often select their treatment based on side effects and the treatment’s...
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Why boys need bins: how to ensure hygiene access in all toilets
A campaign is underway for equal access to hygiene and waste disposal in men’s toilets, especially for those with bladder and bowel incontinence conditions. As Chair of the Association for Continence Professionals (ACP), I am delighted that following a recent relaunch, with a new name and logo, we are proud to announce our new Patron...
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Only 30% of GPs know about Fowler’s syndrome: here’s what it is and how to recognise it
Fowler’s syndrome is a life-changing and currently almost untreatable bladder condition that causes partial or full urinary retention. It solely affects women and is stigmatised, under-researched and under-funded. When I stopped being able to pass urine, it took 18 months to get a diagnosis. I was in so much pain that I thought my life...
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Tips on visiting your GP if you’re worried about bowel cancer
If you’re worried about potential bowel cancer symptoms, making an appointment with your GP is an important first step towards finding out what might be wrong. Symptoms, such as bleeding from your bottom, blood in your poo, changes to your pooing habits or a pain or lump in your tummy, don’t always mean you have...
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Why it’s important to protect and support the bladder’s microbiome
The human bladder contains a ‘microbiome’ of friendly and beneficial bacteria that needs looking after, explains Debbie Cotton, Head of Clinical Innovation at Invivo Healthcare. What is ‘the microbiome’? It’s the community of bacteria that lives in our environment and on and in our bodies, influencing our health in positive and negative ways. Every part...
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Regenerative treatment may offer a cure for incontinence patients
The AMELIE project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 874807. Patients whose lives have been impaired by faecal incontinence are offered new hope with proposed technology that offers a cure, rather than management, of their condition. In her 20s, Joanne suffered a fourth-degree vaginal...
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Trust your gut and speak out about your ulcerative colitis symptoms
Louise Thompson was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis (UC) six years ago. She talks about her journey and how to help others feel better and find the right support. Ulcerative colitis, a chronic inflammatory bowel disease, led Thompson to seek help with persistent diarrhoea with bleeding. She received a diagnosis of mild to moderate UC and...
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Spreading incontinence facts and its mental health impacts on World Continence Week 2024
World Continence Week raises awareness of incontinence, aiming to destigmatise it along with various stakeholders to spread real impact and facts. The World Federation of Incontinence and Pelvic Problems (WFIPP) ‘took over’ World Continence Week from the International Continence Society (ICS) around eight years ago. Both myself and WFIPP Treasurer, Tomasz Michalek, are members of...
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Smoothing the path to diagnosis: how to find out what’s up with your gut
Stomach pain, frequent diarrhoea and blood in your poo may be symptoms of a gastrointestinal condition. Paying attention to your bowel habits is vital, and so is seeking help if something isn’t right. The Crohn’s & Colitis UK symptom checker has been one of our charity’s biggest success stories. More than a quarter of a...
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Rising incontinence costs and the environmental crisis lurking in Europe’s waste
Incontinence is often described as a hidden disability, but it takes a real toll on patients’ quality of life and society as a whole. The burden of incontinence affects every aspect of patients’ lives. Incontinence ties patients to accessible facilities and leads to higher rates of anxiety and depression, often defining their quality of life....
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Why some teenagers still wet the bed — and what can be done about it
Teenagers who still wet the bed may have to deal with a lack of self-confidence and a negative impact on their social lives. Yet, this medical condition can be successfully treated. Bedwetting, or the accidental passing of urine during sleep, is extremely common in young children — although, by the age of five, the majority...
