Bowel

Irritable bowel syndrome - Better Health Channel.

Better Health — Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) causes abdominal pain, bloating and alternating constipation and diarrhoea. The cause is unknown, but factors such as emotional stress, infection and some foods can aggravate the condition. Treatment options include ...More…

Bowel motions

Better Health — Faeces, also known as poo or bowel motions, can be affected by many illnesses. Blood, mucus or other changes in bowel motions should be reported to your doctor straight away. Poo in babies can be affected by the foods they eat. The small ...More…

Rectocele - Better Health Channel.

Better Health — A rectocele is the protrusion of the rectum into the vagina. Treatment options include management of constipation, exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor, and a vaginal pessary. Surgery is needed in severe cases. The degree of severity varies; ...More…

Rectal prolapse - surgical repair

Better Health — A rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum turns itself inside out and comes out through the anus. Surgery to correct rectal prolapse includes open abdominal surgery (laparotomy), keyhole surgery (laparoscopy) and anal surgery. A rectal prolapse ...More…

Rectal prolapse - Better Health Channel.

Better Health — Rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum turns itself inside out and comes out through the anus. Treatment includes surgery to secure the rectum in place. Without treatment, the rectum will eventually need to be pushed back in manually. Women are ...More…

Rectal cancer

Better Health — The rectum is part of the digestive system. Its function is to temporarily store faeces. Rectal cancer usually affects people over the age of 50 years. Symptoms include bleeding from the anus and pain when passing motions. The rectum is part of ...More…

Haemorrhoids - Better Health Channel.

Better Health — Haemorrhoids, or piles, are varicose veins of the rectum or anus. They are usually caused by years of straining on the toilet because of chronic constipation. Pregnancy and heavy manual labour can also cause haemorroids. Symptoms include itching ...More…

Haemorrhoid surgery

Better Health — Haemorrhoids (piles) are varicose veins that occur inside, on or just outside the anus. A procedure (surgery) called a haemorrhoidectomy can treat large haemorrhoids that are visible outside the anus and are painful and itchy. Other procedures ...More…

Diverticulosis and diverticulitis

Better Health — Diverticulosis is the formation of abnormal pouches in the bowel wall, while diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of these pouches. These conditions are known as diverticular disease. Diverticulosis is common and frequently causes no ...More…

Crohn's and colitis - dietary considerations

Better Health — Food is broken down by mechanical and chemical means, in the mouth and stomach. When the food has reached a pulp-like consistency, it is slowly released into the first part of the small intestine (ileum). The food is then massaged along the ...More…

Crohn's and colitis - complications

Better Health — Since IBD targets the digestive tract, common symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhoea, nausea and weight loss. A person with IBD has to pay close attention to diet, since malnutrition is a real possibility. Other complications of the digestive ...More…

Crohn's and colitis

Better Health — Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn's disease causes inflammation of the full thickness of the intestine involving any part of the digestive tract from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative ...More…