Online clinic on bladder, bowel & digestive health 2014

16-22Jul2014

From 16 - 22 July 2014 NHS Choices and talkhealth presented an Online Clinic on bladder, bowel & digestive health with the charities B&BF, Core, IBS Network and PromoCom.  The clinic is now only open for viewing.

Go to this Online Clinic

The clinic is an online forum, please contact us if you’re unsure how it works!

Clinical experts answered questions on bladder, bowel and digestive health. Topics included bed wetting, cystitis, incontinence, bowel cancer, IBS, constipation and other bowel and bladder issues and you can read the questions and answers in this clinic by clicking the blue ‘Go to this Online Clinic’ button above.

Click here to read July's twitter chat on bowel, bladder and digestive health.

Please also check our list of future clinic dates here.

Medical Experts

Mr Benjamin J Challacombe

Consultant Urological Surgeon and Honorary Senior Lecturer with a special interest in robotic surgery and minimally invasive prostate cancer treatments - BSc. MS FRCS (Urol)

Dr Anton Emmanuel
Debbie Gordon

Independent Specialist Physiotherapist in Bladder & Bowel Health

Ann Moore

Clinical Nurse Specialist in Urology

Dr Nick Read

Gastroenterologist and Psychoanalytical Psychotherapist

Julie Thompson

Gastroenterology Specialist Dietitian - BSc (Hons) Dietetics

Supporting Partners

CLINIC SPONSORS

Cymalon Granules for Oral Solution offer effective relief for women from the symptoms of cystitis, which is why it is one of the most popular cystitis remedies in the UKCymalon

Cymalon Granules for Oral Solution offer effective relief for women from the symptoms of cystitis, which is why it is one of the most popular cystitis remedies in the UK1.

Cystitis is an infection and/or inflammation of the bladder that causes a burning sensation and a frequent need to urinate2. It is estimated that around 50% of women will suffer from this condition at some point in their lives3.

Reducing the acidity of your urine can help relieve the burning, stinging pain when passing urine, which is why Cymalon Granules work – they contain sodium citrate dihydrate, which helps to neutralise urine acidity during an attack of cystitis, providing effective relief. Cymalon is available without a prescription from your local pharmacy and comes in a pack of six handy sachets, providing a complete 48 hour course of treatment. Make an attack of cystitis more manageable by taking Cymalon.

Visit the Cymalon website for more information. Always read the label. If your symptoms persist or worsen, you should consult your doctor.

1. Source: IRI Data on file, 52 w/e 2nd November, 2013
2. http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/cystitis/Pages/Introduction.aspx
3. http://www.patient.co.uk/health/recurrent-cystitis-in-women

Gepan® instill

Quality of life is an important issue for people with chronic forms of cystisis, OAB and PBS. Now they can be improved with Gepan® instill.

Quality of life is an important issue for people with chronic forms of cystitis, OAB and PBS. Now it can be improved with Gepan® instill. Often, the inner lining of the bladder is damaged so substances in urine cause inflammation. Gepan® instill restores that lining so distressing symptoms are relieved. Normally a doctor or nurse administers Gepan® instill. But now it’s also available for home use for patients who have been shown how to self-catheterise.

A review (1) concluded that the solution used in Gepan® instill is the favoured treatment to restore this inner layer. And a study showed there is an 82% treatment satisfaction level(2). Another study (3) showed that 72% of Gepan® instill patients treated once a month for a year reported relief from symptoms, and 56% enjoyed continued improvement a year after treatment finished. Meanwhile just 43% of patients on another treatment, Tolteradine Tartrate, improved after a year, and only 14% a year after therapy stopped.

For further information visit the Gepan-instill website

(1) Helmut Madersbacher, Arndt van Ophoven and Philip E.V.A. van Kerrebroeck, Neurology and Urodynamics 2013 32:9-18 (2) Nordling J, van Ophoven A: Intravesical glycosaminoglycan replenishment with chondroitin sulphate in chronic forms of cystitis – a multi-national, multi-centre, prospective observational clinical trial. Arzneimittelforschung 2008; 58: 328-335 (3) Gauruder-Burmester A, Popken G: [Follow-up at 24 months after treatment of overactive bladder with 0.2% sodium chondroitin sulfate], Aktuelle Urol 2009; 40: 355-359

Lactulose sachets

Lactulose is a mild but effective laxative with osmotic and bio-energetic (prebiotic) effects. It is very well tolerated even in long-term use and even in sensitive patient groups (e.g. small children, elderly people, and patients with other diseases).Constipation is a very common complaint; one in three people experience it at some time. There are many causes of constipation. A diet without enough fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains, and a lifestyle without enough exercise are two common factors. But a number of other causes are possible as well, for example certain diseases, hormonal changes (pregnancy), recovering from surgery, low mobility due to illness or old age, and certain medications can cause constipation as a side effect.

Laxatives are one of the treatments used for constipation - they should make your bowel movements easier and more regular. Lactulose is a mild but effective laxative with osmotic and bio-energetic (prebiotic) effects. It is very well tolerated even in long-term use and even in sensitive patient groups (e.g. small children, elderly people, and patients with other diseases).

Bladder & Bowel Foundation

The Bladder and Bowel Foundation (B&BF) is the only UK wide charity dedicated to helping people manage their continence needs as a result of both bladder and bowel control problems. B&BF provides information and support services, including a confidential helpline, for anyone affected by these conditions, as well as their families, carers and healthcare professionals. The charity is passionate about raising awareness of these often hidden conditions and campaigns for better services, treatments and products by working with researchers, individuals and other related organisations. B&BF aims to make a real difference to the lives of those living with bladder and bowel control problems and will work towards delivering the kind of services that meet the needs of people affected.

Core

Core is a national charity working to fight all diseases of the gut, liver and pancreas. We work across three areas: supporting medical research that looks for cures and improved outcomes; providing evidence-based information to patients; and raising awareness of good digestive health and the diseases that affect the digestive system.

Read more about Core by clicking here...

The IBS Network

The IBS Network is the National charity supporting patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and their families and carers.The IBS Network is the National charity supporting patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and their families and carers. Founded in 1991 the Network offers help & information to both patients and Health Care Professionals on how to better manage symptoms of IBS through various publications, the IBS Network website and new online Self-Care Plan, advice from dietitians, expert medical telephone helplines, monthly newsletters, free online community forums and much more.

Read more about The IBS Network by clicking here...

PromoCon

The IBS Network is the National charity supporting patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome and their families and carers.PromoCon works as an integral part of the charity Disabled Living NW providing a national service for people with bladder and bowel problems.We provide impartial advice and information relating to continence issues, products and services by helping people resolve or manage their bladder and bowel problems more effectively, and provide practical solutions to what may appear initially to be irresolvable problems.The ultimate aim is to improve the quality of life for individuals, who have bladder and/or bowel problems and their families and carers.

Read more about PromoCon by clicking here...