Many continence problems are treatable. However, it may be that following a full assessment, alternative solutions for promoting and managing continence are identified as being required.  For some people and for a variety of reasons, it may not be possible to fully treat or cure incontinence and they may need products, appliances/devices or practical help to promote and maintain continence.

There are a number of health care professionals who will be able to advise you; these may include your GP, district nurse, specialist continence, bladder/bowel/urology nurse, occupational therapist or physiotherapist. Alternatively you can contact us at Bladder & Bowel UK and we can signpost you to your local service.

It is encouraging to know that there are a large variety of products, devices and appliances available. No single product will suit everyone’s needs and it is not uncommon for people to use a combination of products e.g. containment pads along with aids to assist with toileting.  It’s a case of finding what best suits an individual’s needs.

Examples of the types of products available include:

• Alarms
• Bedding and chair protection
• Bowel irrigation devices
• Bowel/faecal leakage management devices
• Catheters
• Disposable pads
• Drainage bags
• Female devices
• Male devices including urinary sheaths and body worn appliances
• Odour control
• Pelvic floor equipment
• Swimwear
• Toilets and commodes
• Urinals (male and female, hand held)
• Washable pads and pants

Visit the Bladder & Bowel UK website and the supplier directory for further information on products that are available. This directory has been created at the request of people who use Bladder and Bowel UK and other Disabled Living services, (which Bladder and Bowel UK are an integral part of) as a resource, providing impartial and unbiased information relating to continence products, other services, and equipment.

If there is something you are specifically searching for and unable to find please contact us via email at bbuk@disabledliving.co.uk or on our helpline: 0161 214 4591.

The post Alternative suggestions for promoting and maintaining continence appeared first on Bladder & Bowel UK.

Do you worry about your child’s continence? Are you a professional involved in supporting children who have continence problems? Are there concerns about:

• Wetting, or dribbling, day or night?
• Pooing in their pants?
• Constipation?
• Do they appear to avoid using the toilet?
• Are you struggling with toilet training?
• Are you unsure whether your child is ready to toilet train?

Bladder & Bowel UK are contacted by professionals, parents or carers for advice on a wide range of continence problems. They are often confused as to why the child has a problem, or assume it is part of another disability or additional need. They may have received conflicting advice or may not have been able to find any support.

As part of Urology Week, we thought it may be helpful to provide some information.

So who is affected with bladder (and/or bowel) problems?

• Bladder (and bowel) problems in children and young people are very common. They affect children who have no other health, or developmental problems as well as children who have additional needs.
• Problems including difficulties with toilet training, wetting, constipation and/or soiling, affect up to 28% of all children and adolescents at any one time.
• Younger children are affected more often than older children, although problems can happen at any age.
• All children and young people with a bladder or bowel problem, including those who have additional needs, should be offered an assessment and treatment as appropriate.
• Parents and carers may be reluctant to discuss the problems for a wide range of reasons. They may think the child is being lazy, although this is not usually the case.
• There are lots of things that can be done to treat, manage and improve continence problems in children and young people.

Top tips for managing children’s continence problems

Seek professional help

Lots can be done to help cure and improve symptoms. Therefore we would always recommend discussing the problem with the child’s GP, school nurse or health visitor. For children with additional needs or health problems, their paediatrician may be able to help. Bladder & Bowel UK provide a helpline service, offering advice, information and signposting to services and other organisations.

We can be contacted at email: bladderandboweluk@disabledliving.co.uk or telephone: 0161 214 4591.

My child has been referred to a specialist children’s continence service. What will they do?

Specialist services for children and young people may be called Continence Services, Bladder and Bowel Services, Paediatric Continence Services, or Children’s Continence Services.

Means of referral to these services may differ. Most ask that individuals are referred by a doctor or nurse, whilst others may accept referral from different professionals. Some accept referral from parents or carers.

What help can these services offer?

Children’s continence services offer specialist advice, assessment, treatment, management and support to children and young people experiencing bladder and bowel problems. They will explain why children and young people experience bladder and bowel problems and what they think is causing the problem for your child. They may ask you to fill in charts to help assess the problem and suggest treatment options. They will then offer further appointments, which may include telephone calls to review your child’s progress and make further suggestions if they are needed.

Where will my child be seen?

Not all areas have a children’s continence service. However, those that do, usually have appointments in local hospitals and clinics. If you are offered an appointment at a time that is not convenient for you, or at a place that you cannot get to easily, then contact them to ask if there is an alternative. If you know your child will struggle to cope with a clinic visit, due to disabilities or additional needs, then let the service know.

I do not think my child is ready to toilet train. What should I do?

Modern nappies ensure that children remain comfortable and feel dry. Therefore, many children, particularly those with additional needs will not indicate when they are wet or soiled, leaving adults thinking they are not ready to toilet train. However, this may not be the case and children with delayed toilet training should be offered some support to achieve the necessary skills, to ensure that they do reach their potential.

If you think you may have problems toilet training your child, or they have additional needs, then discuss toilet training with their health care professional. There is also lots of information on our website.

Remember as well, that toilet training requires that children learn a set of skills, including being able to sit on the toilet for long enough to wee or poo, manage their clothes, be able to communicate that they need to go, be able to get the toilet and back again, and to wash their hands. They can start working on these skills early.

Additional information

More information on children’s continence problems is available on our website. We also have qualified children’s nurses who are able to offer generic support and advice via our helpline: 0161 214 4591 or email bladderandboweluk@disabledliving.co.uk.

The post Top tips for children’s continence problems appeared first on Bladder & Bowel UK.

Do you ever find yourself asking the following?

• Where can I source continence products?
• Are continence pads free or available on prescription?
• What continence products are best for me?
• Where can I get help or advice on toilet aids and adaptations?
• Are there any alternatives to using pads?
• Who do I speak to about my continence problem?
• Is it to do with my age?
• Can children and young people experience bladder problems?

Who is affected with bladder problems?

• Bladder (and bowel) problems are common, affecting both males and females of all ages.
• Often people are reluctant to discuss their symptoms with anyone, but it is important to know that much can be done to treat, manage and improve symptoms.
• It’s important to speak to your doctor or other healthcare professional to seek the right advice and help.

What about children?

• Bladder (and bowel) problems in children and young people are also very common.
• Problems, including difficulties with toilet training, wetting and/or soiling, affect up to 28% of all children and adolescents at any one time.
• Younger children are affected more often than older children, although problems can happen at any age.
• All children and young people with a bladder or bowel problem, including those who have additional needs, should be offered an assessment and treatment as appropriate.

Some of you reading this blog may be familiar with the services that we offer, while some of you may be new to our services. We thought it might be helpful to highlight our top tips for seeking advice and help.

Seek professional help

We would always encourage people to seek professional advice and help, regarding a bladder and/or bowel problem. Lots can be done to cure and improve symptoms.  Sometimes products are needed to help manage bladder and bowel problems. It is important to seek professional help so an assessment can be done.

Bladder & Bowel UK provide a helpline service, offering advice, information and signposting to local services and other organisations.  You can contact us via email: bladderandboweluk@disabledliving.co.uk or on the telephone: 0161 214 4591.

Is it to do with my age?

Bladder problems can affect children, young people, men and women of any age. It is not an inevitable part of aging, disability or medical condition. Therefore please don’t put up with a bladder or toileting problem. Contact your GP or healthcare professional. Alternatively, phone or email us and we will help you get in touch with a professional, who will understand and be able to offer assessment, support and advice.

How do I access help?

You could talk to your GP or other healthcare practitioner, e.g. Practice Nurse, District Nurse. For children you could also contact their School Nurse or Health Visitor. There are also specialist services for adults, children and young people, sometimes called Continence Services, Bladder and Bowel Services, Paediatric Continence Services, or Children’s Continence Services.

Referral to these services may differ, for example, some ask that individuals are referred by a doctor or nurse, whilst other may accept self referrals. Bladder & Bowel UK can help put you in touch with your local service. For other specialist services, such as Urology or Uro Gynaecology, you should speak to your GP. If you are already under a continence specialist nurse, they may be able to refer you directly on for further opinion, if they feel this is needed.

What help can these services offer me?

Continence services offer specialist advice, assessment, treatment, management and support to adults, children and young people experiencing bladder and bowel problems.

Examples of the types of problems that continence services may help people with include:

• Urinary incontinence, e.g. passing urine when you laugh, sneeze or cough, not being able to ignore a sudden urge to pass urine, or not being able to get to the toilet quickly enough
• Waking up more than a couple of times in the night to pass urine (Nocturia)
• Needing to go to the toilet frequently
• Pelvic Floor disorders
• Prostate problems

• Toilet training issues
• Difficulty emptying the bladder
• Constipation
• Faecal/Bowel incontinence e.g. difficulty controlling bowel movements
• Difficulty emptying the bowel
• Functional incontinence for example having a condition or disability which limits or stops people from being able to remove clothes quickly or get to the toilet in time

Where will I be seen?

Bladder and bowel services usually offer clinics across their NHS areas, enabling people to access the nearest clinic to where they live. Home visits may be arranged for people who are housebound. Your doctor or healthcare professional will be able to put you in contact with your local service and provide you with advice on arranging how to be seen. You can also contact Bladder & Bowel UK for further details of how to access your local service.

What to expect when I’m seen?

You will be offered a continence assessment, to look at your presenting problem, which will help your professional identify and suggest an individual treatment or management plan. In some cases further tests may be required.

Please don’t suffer in silence

Don’t forget, if you have any questions about your bladder and bowel health, you can also connect and engage with us further at Bladder & Bowel UK, via social media on Twitter and Facebook. We look forward to hearing from you.

The post Popular questions about your bladder and bowel appeared first on Bladder & Bowel UK.