Bladder and Bowel Problems
Do you have problems with controlling your bladder or
bowel?
These are common problems after childbirth and there are
solutions.
Often after delivery the pelvic muscles which control
both the bladder and the bowel can be stretched or damaged.
Bruising and swelling can make going to the toilet painful,
and control difficult. These problems may be temporary
and all may improve with time. There are many treatments
which can help the situation. It is important to seek help
for these problems and not to suffer in silence. If you
are experiencing problems then talk to your midwife, health
visitor, GP or practice nurse as they should be able to
help you or refer you on to someone who can.
Simple solutions which may help you with your bladder
and bowel control include:
- Drinking an adequate amount of water daily, this is
vital to ensure the correct functioning of the bladder
and bowel.
- Avoid strong coffee and other sources of caffeine
as this causes bladder and bowel irritation and spasm
which makes control more difficult.
- Avoid other bladder and bowel stimulants which include
alcohol, artificial sweeteners and nicotine.
- Regularly practice pelvic floor exercises (at least
3 times a day) to strengthen the pelvic floor: ask
your midwife for information and advice.
- Eating a healthy diet which includes a variety of
fruit and vegetables. This ensures that the bowel functions
correctly and regularly so helping with control.
- Drinking probiotics (e.g. Yakult) may help with stool
looseness and urgency.
- You
might like to consider talking to your doctor about using
a constipating agent,
(e.g. loperamide)
to firm stool and enable more confidence when going out.
There are also other treatments which may help; all of
these need referral from a health care professional. These
include:
- Physiotherapy and Bio-feedback to improve the function
of the pelvic floor muscles.
- Anal plugs which act like tampons in preventing
faecal leakage and are available on prescription.
- Medications that can decrease overactivity in
the bladder and bowel.
- Rectal irrigation using Peristeen, this enables
the lower part of the bowel to be emptied and so
prevents leakage. For additional information go to:
www.peristeen.co.uk
- Surgery to increase resistance against leakage;
this can be in the form of injectable bulking agents,
slings and sphincter repair.
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