Cancer occurs when cells in our body multiply out of control, producing lots of abnormal cells. These abnormal cells don't function like they should and can invade tissues or organs and sometimes spread to other parts of the body. Bowel cancer, also known as colorectal cancer, includes cancer of the colon (which is the large intestine) and cancer of the rectum (which is the last few inches of the large intestine before it turns into the anus). It is the third most common cancer in the US, affecting both men and women, and is more likely as we age. Certain genetic and lifestyle factors can increase your risk - we'll talk you through them. Symptoms of bowel cancer include blood in the stool, a change in your bowel habits for more than a few weeks, and a tending towards diarrhea, but may also tend towards constipation, too. Another symptom may be abdominal pain or discomfort and bloating. It is important to note that most people with these symptoms do not have bowel cancer, but if they persist, occur with older individuals, or occur with symptoms like loss of appetite, fatigue, and unintentional weight loss - this should be discussed with a doctor urgently. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all adults aged 45-75 years be screened for colorectal cancer. Your doctor may recommend earlier testing if you are at higher risk. Results from this initial test will determine how often you should be rescreened. Evidence shows you can reduce the risk of developing bowel cancer by eating a high-fiber diet with lots of fruit and vegetables and avoiding processed foods. You should avoid smoking and excessive alcohol intake to lower risk, and keep fit and maintain a healthy weight.
The bladder is the pouch that stores urine before you pee it out. Cancer cells can grow in the inner lining of the bladder and spread to involve the muscle walls and other structures. Bladder cancer is relatively common in the US, affecting older adults and men more than women. It’s usually surgically treated, with chemotherapy and radiotherapy alongside, depending on both the tumor and the health of the person it affects. But both the cancer and effects of treatment can have a lasting impact on someone’s quality of life and emotional well-being.
Incontinence is the involuntary or uncontrollable leakage of urine or poop. It is called urinary, bowel, or double incontinence if both peeing and pooping are affected. It can occur because of weakening of the muscles that control these functions or from illness such as stroke, which can affect the nerves that control them. Urinary incontinence may be brought on by coughing or laughing (stress incontinence) or when you feel the urge to urinate (urge incontinence). Incontinence is diagnosed when it has happened regularly, not just once. Muscle exercises may help train the muscles to reduce incontinence. Medication may also help control symptoms of urinary incontinence.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is incredibly common with numbers suggesting it is present in up to 2 in 10 people. Symptoms tend to start when people are in their twenties or thirties, and it is usually possible to make a diagnosis with your doctor based on symptoms rather than endless tests and consultations.
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is incredibly common with numbers suggesting it is present in up to 2 in 10 people. Symptoms tend to start when people are in their twenties or thirties, and it is usually possible to make a diagnosis with your doctor based on symptoms rather than endless tests and consultations.
A urinary tract infection (UTI) is characterized by burning on passing urine, the urge to pass urine frequently and pain. Such infections occur when the normally sterile urine becomes infected with bacteria or other microorganisms. The most common bacteria causing a UTI is called E. coli, though other conditions such as Staphylococcus and Chlamydia can also cause infection. Such bacteria or organisms enter the urethra – the tiny tube that links from the vulva to the bladder – and cause irritation (urethritis). The infection can then spread back to the bladder causing cystitis (inflammation of the bladder). If a UTI is left untreated the infection can track even further back to the kidneys, via two small tubes called the ureters (one connects between each kidney and the bladder). This kidney infection is called pyelonephritis and can be a serious health problem. With correct treatment, a urinary tract infection can be cleared quickly – in just one or two days. Even if symptoms are quickly alleviated, always finish any antibiotic course ordered by the doctor to ensure bacteria do not recur in a stronger or different form. UTIs are much more common in women than men because their urethra is very close to the vagina and anus so bacteria can spread easily. Women also have a shorter urethra than men which means bacteria can travel to the bladder more quickly. Sexual intercourse can also irritate the urethra in a woman and increase the incidence of a UTI, and after menopause UTIs can also become more common in women because of changes in the urethra, bladder and vagina due to hormonal fluctuations. In men, UTIs can be indicative of prostate problems, kidney stones or a sexually transmitted disease, and in the elderly UTIs can cause confusion and falls. What are the signs and symptoms of a UTI? burning and pain on urination an urge to pass urine regularly even when you have just passed urine, a feeling you need to urinate again passing only small amounts of urine tiredness the urine may be cloudy and strong smelling, and can have blood in it If the infection ascends higher up the urinary tract towards the kidneys (known as pyelonephritis) you may get pain in one side of your lower back or loin, depending on which ureter or kidney is affected. You will likely feel quite unwell, with fever, chills and possibly vomiting.
Ulcerative colitis is a condition where there is inflammation of the large bowel and rectum (the last part of the bowel where poop is stored). This inflammation can lead to severe problems, including bowel lining ulcers. Those suffering complaints of tummy pain and diarrhea often notice blood and mucus mixed in the stool. Weight loss can occur as vital nutrients aren't absorbed, and the body puts its efforts into the inflammation process. You may also have a mild fever and feel fatigued, to the extent it's hard to get on with your daily tasks. Symptoms can range from mild to severe, and there can be long periods of being symptom-free between flare-ups. How often you're opening your bowels can be a good marker of how bad the symptoms are. If you are emptying your bowels more than six times a day, this is a serious flare of symptoms. Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition that must be monitored and managed throughout your life. It is estimated that 1 million people in the US have ulcerative colitis and although it can develop at any age, it most commonly develops between the ages of 15 and 30.
Norovirus is also known as the vomiting bug. It is a viral gut infection that causes vomiting and diarrhea. It can be highly contagious and spread through contaminated food and water or through someone else who is infected. Abdominal pain and cramps are common symptoms. Some children get general flu\-like symptoms alongside, such as: headache muscle aches mild fever and chills Symptoms can start 1 or 2 days after exposure to the virus and can last for up to 3 days, but they can sometimes last longer, especially in children.
Constipation can happen to anyone from time to time. It's when you have to strain to open your bowels or have a bowel movement less often. This is usually less than three times a week, and stool can become hard and difficult to pass. Other symptoms include: bloating tummy pain nausea loss of appetite It's a very common problem and doesn't usually point to a serious cause, although certain health conditions make you more prone. You can take action yourself to address diet and activity levels or try some gentle medications to soften the stool and move it along. Constipation can feel uncomfortable and may cause complications such as: hemorrhoids anal fissures, which are small tears in the anus fecal impaction, where hard, dry stool collects in the rectum overflow diarrhea and possibly leakage It's important to address it early on before problems build up. We'll talk you through likely triggers, how to address them, and medications and remedies you can try to get things moving along.
Acid reflux occurs when stomach acid rises up from the stomach, burning the sensitive lining of the esophagus (food pipe). It may reach the throat, giving you an unpleasant bitter taste in the mouth and possibly causing halitosis (bad breath). Burping, bloating, nausea, a long-standing dry cough, and pain on swallowing hot drinks can all be additional signs of acid reflux. Most people report worse symptoms when lying down for up to 20 to 30 minutes after a meal. It can feel quite uncomfortable – it's known as heartburn for a good reason, and pain can be so severe that some people think they are having a heart attack. When you swallow, food passes from the mouth and throat to the esophagus and into the stomach, which produces acid to digest the food. Movement shouldn't occur the opposite way, and a one-way valve (the esophageal sphincter) protects the esophagus from this. The esophagus becomes irritated if it's exposed to acid. The sphincter may not function properly for a number of reasons, which can be as simple as bending over, causing increased pressure in the stomach, and forcing movement through the sphincter the wrong way; or your stomach may be producing too much acid. Acid reflux – also known as dyspepsia, indigestion, heartburn, or gastroesophageal reflux – is very common, and most people experience it in their lifetime. In most cases, it's mild, and it resolves on its own or can be treated at home. Here at Healthwords, we like to help ease your symptoms, and we can talk you through treatment options, but we believe that prevention is always better than cure, so by understanding some of the triggers, hopefully this will prevent you from suffering severe symptoms. One of the complications of acid reflux in the long term is damage to the esophagus in a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and you may be at risk of ulcers. It can also cause permanent changes to the lining of the esophagus, called Barrett's esophagus – this puts you at a slightly higher risk of esophageal cancer.
Cancer occurs when cells in our body multiply out of control, producing lots of abnormal cells. These abnormal cells don't function like normal cells should and can invade tissues or organs and can sometimes spread to other parts of the body. Anal cancer is cancer that is in the anus, which is the last few centimeters of the bowel and connects the bowel to the outside of the body (the last area your stool passes through when you go for a poop). It is not a common cancer; however, human papillomavirus (HPV) infection increases your risk of developing anal cancer. HPV is a virus passed on through sexual intercourse. Most people will be infected with HPV infection in their lifetime and the majority will not develop anal cancer. Both HPV infection and anal cancer are more common in people who have anal sex with a lot of different partners, those who smoke, those with a lowered immune system, or those who have had cervical, vulval, or vaginal cancer. The most common symptoms of anal cancer are bleeding, pain, itching, discharge and fecal incontinence (losing the ability to control when you poop). There are many more common causes of bleeding, pain and itching symptoms that are not anal cancer, so please don’t be worried if you have symptoms. We should be clear that anal cancer is rare. More subtle signs of cancer can be unexplained tiredness or loss of weight, night sweats or pain in your bones.
The appendix is a tiny pouch from your large intestine, and it's thought to likely be a remnant from our very distant ancestors. Although it’s often said to not serve any function to us now, it may in fact be helpful as a reservoir of healthy gut bacteria. It’s found in the bottom right-hand quadrant of your abdomen and is usually around 2-4 inches long. It can cause problems if it becomes inflamed and infected, in a condition called appendicitis. This can make you very unwell unless treated. It can happen at any age but is most common in people aged between 10 and 20. It seems that if you have your appendix removed you have no long-term health consequences. About 1 in 7 people get appendicitis at some time in their life.