Getting Help
When to seek help
If you have a problem with bowel leakage, it is a good idea to get professional help. Many doctors still do not realise how common faecal incontinence is, or that anything can be done about it, and so may try to tell you that you just have to learn to live with it. In a few cases this is true, but not without proper investigations and trying treatment first.
It is never too late to get help with bowel problems. Just because you have to put up with it for years does not mean nothing can be done. If your problem is restricting your day to day activities you should seek some help. Some people only cope by never going out, or by not eating at all if they are going out.
Some problems should lead you to seek urgent medical attention, not as an emergency, but as soon as possible in working hours:
- Blood in or on your bowel motions. This might be fresh blood, or dark red (partly digested) blood.
- A sudden or unexplained change in your usual bowel habit.
- Unexplained abdominal pains.
Who can help
The best place to start is usually your own family doctor (General Practitioner). If this is difficult, or you do not feel comfortable talking to your docotr, you may like to broach the subject first with a practice nurse if there is one (maybe in a Well Woman or Well Man clinic) or with a district nurse.
Continence advisors
The UK has a network of specialist nurse continence advisors whow should be able to give you help and advice. Many continence advisors accept self-referral so that you do not have to talk to your doctor about the problem first. To contact your nearest adviser in the UK call or meail the CONTINENCE FOUNDATION HELPLINE (Telephone 020 7831 9831 Monday- Friday 0930am-1pm. www.continence-foundation.org.uk or
Consumer organisation
In the UK the organisation for people with bowel or bladder control problems is called BLADDER AND BOWEL FOUNDATION. They ahve a website and a consumer to consumer helpline, as well as a regular newsletter, a national conference and some local meetings. www.bladderandbowelfoundation.org
Continence organisations around the world
Many countries now have a national continence organisation who may have information and advice, or may be able to put you in touch with a local specialist. These organisations are networked vis the Continence Worldwide Website.
Helpline
If you do not want to face anyone to start with, you can call the Contience Foundation Helpline, in confidence, and talk to a trained nurse who knows all about these problems and can give you information in confidence and put you in touch with your local specialist. CONTINENCE FOUNDATION HELPLINE (Telephone 020 7831 9831 Monday- Friday 0930am-1pm.
International Foundation for Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders (IFFGD)
The IFFGD has a regular newsletter and a wide range of information on functional bowel problems such as incontinence, irritable bowel sydrome and others. www.iffgd.org
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