Products & advice for those with bowel problems

If you experience bowel leakage and/or chronic constipation you are not alone. Your quality of life may be significantly impacted, as aside from physical discomfort such as bloating. You may also worry about having an accident in public.

Going to the toilet to have a bowel movement is something most people take for granted and consider it a very private matter. So when you suddenly experience a problem with your bowels, you can feel rather isolated.

The two most common problems people experience are bowel leakage, when you cannot control when your bowel is open and constipation, where you experience difficulty in moving your bowels. Learn more about how the bowel works and how Peristeen Plus is an effective alternative to bowel management.

Learn more about bowel problems, bowel leakage and chronic constipation

Introduction to bowel problems

It can be embarrassing to speak out about, which is why many people can go for years without telling anyone about their problem. Because many people never visit their doctor or nurse or reveal their symptoms, the exact number of people affected by bowel problems is unknown. But it is more common than you might think. Learn more about bowel problems

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Introduction to bowel problems

How common is it to have a bowel problem?

Studies suggest that approximately 2% of the adult population have daily or weekly bowel leakage episodes
The prevalence for adults over 65 years is 7%, and in retirement homes it’s as high as 33%
Studies indicate that up to 20% of the population have problems with constipation

Without proper treatment and management, bowel problems can seriously affect quality of life and prevent people from doing the things they enjoy.

Find out more

Read more about causes and symptoms of bowel problems and how to take care of your bowel.

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Causes of bowel problems

Having bowel problems is not a disease in itself. There is usually an underlying cause as to why your bowels are not functioning properly. Most common causes of bowel problems

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Causes of bowel problems

It is important to understand that having bowel problems is not a disease in itself. There is usually an underlying cause as to why your bowels aren’t functioning properly. Common causes of bowel problems can be related to either neurogenic or non-neurogenic disorders.

Neurogenic disorders

If you have a neurogenic disorder, you may have neurogenic bowel as it is likely the nerves in your spinal cord, controlling bowel function, are damaged. Some neurogenic conditions causing bowel problems include:

Non-neurogenic disorders

Bowel problems can also be caused by a number of non-neurogenic conditions including:

Obstetric trauma - complications after childbirth, where the sphincter muscles have been damaged leading to the inability to control when you go to the toilet.
Cancer of the colon or rectum: Cancer of the colon or rectum describes the uncontrolled growth of cells that may cause bowel dysfunction. Some people have an inherited condition called familial polyposis, where large numbers of projecting, swollen and thickened areas of membrane called polyps, which develop on the inner lining of the colon. These polyps can eventually become cancerous.
Anorectal malformation from birth - even with surgical correction, you can still experience bowel leakage episodes.
Inflammatory bowel disease: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a collection of conditions characterised by inflammation of the large and/or small intestine.

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Peristeen Plus bowel irrigation system minimizes involuntary bowel leakage and/or constipation

When laxatives and enemas are insufficient

Peristeen Plus bowel irrigation system is the recommended treatment when bowel medication such as laxatives and enemas have failed or is insufficient. This irrigation system minimises the likelihood of involuntary bowel leakage and/or constipation. View Peristeen® Plus TAI system with balloon catheter

View Peristeen® Plus TAI system with cone catheter

How the bowel works

The bowel (intestine) is the lower part of the digestive system; a continuous tube that runs from the mouth to the anus. The digestive system absorbs nutrients from the food we eat and eliminates the waste products we cannot use.

Learn more about the main functions

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How the bowel works

How the bowel functions

The bowel is divided into the small intestine and the large intestine (colon, rectum and anus). The main function of the small intestine is to absorb nutrients released from the food digested in the stomach. The large intestine absorbs water from food and forms semi-solid and solid food waste into stools, which are eliminated from the body through the anus. Waste product is moved along the digestive system by a wave of involuntary contractions (peristalsis).

The digestive system

The waste product is temporarily stored in the rectum. During normal defaecation, when the rectum becomes full, it sends signals to the brain resulting in the urge to open the bowel. The two anal sphincters relax and allow stools to pass through the anus and out of the body.

If your bowel does not work effectively, you may experience bowel leakage and/or constipation.

Bowel leakage

Bowel leakage is the involuntary passage of stool e.g. you cannot control when your bowel opens, often resulting in bowel accidents.

Constipation

There is no exact science to what constitutes constipation as the symptoms vary from person to person. It is often characterised by decreased bowel movements and straining at defaecation.

Neurogenic bowel

Neurogenic bowel is a lack of nervous control which prevents the bowel from functioning effectively and is caused by a neurogenic disorder like spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and spina bifida.