Healthy bowel habits

‍A normal bowel varies considerably from one person to another - you do not have to go every day to have a healthy bowel - bowels are very individual. The range of normal varies from three times a day to every three days.

Your bowel is healthy if your bowel motions (faeces) are:
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- Regular
- Soft and well formed
- Easy to pass
- Leave you feeling that your bowel has been fully emptied

‍How to maintain a healthy bowel

‍You should:
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- Drink 6-8 glasses (1500-2000mls) of fluid per day
- Include dietary fibre in your diet such as fruit (including dried fruit), vegetables, nuts, legumes (e.g. baked beans, kidney beans, soya beans), whole meal breads and cereals
- Exercise regularly - preferably walking 20-30 minutes at least 3-4 times a week
- Allow sufficient time on the toilet
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‍Constipation

‍Constipation is a symptom not a disease. It can be defined as a change from a normal bowel habit, which can cause pain or discomfort, the bowel motion may be hard, dry and/or more difficult to pass.

‍Contributing Factors

- Insufficient fluid intake
- Inadequate dietary fibre and/or change in diet
- Ignoring the call to pass a motion•   Poor seating position when moving your bowels
- Lack of exercise and/or decreased mobility
- Pregnancy
- Some medical conditions and /or chronic illness
- Some medications
- Long term laxative abuse
- Weakness and frailty
- Anxiety, depression and grief
- Disorders of the bowel (further investigation generally required)

‍Treatment

‍Causes of constipation need to be identified so that treatment can be planned. This can be done in partnership with your GP, Continence Advisor and / or Dietitian.

Treatment may include:
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- A bowel management programme
- Changes in medication
- Life-style changes
- Referral to a specialist
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Faecal Incontinence
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‍Faecal (bowel) incontinence is the involuntary passing of faeces and /or flatus (wind) at an inappropriate time or place. It affects approximately 1% of people living in the community. It is a very distressing symptom and can affect a person physically, emotionally, socially and financially. Faecal incontinence is a symptom it is not a disease. Therefore it must be investigated to identify the cause.

‍Contributing Factors
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- Severe constipation
- Difficult childbirth
- Some medications
- Some medical conditions
- Some bowel surgery
- Infections
- Radiotherapy

‍Treatment
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‍Causes of faecal incontinence need to be identified so that treatment can be planned.This can be done in partnership with your GP, Continence Advisor and / or Dietitian.

‍Treatment may include:
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- A bowel management programme
- Changes in medication
- Life-style changes
- Referral to a specialist

‍You should see a doctor if you have:
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- Blood or mucus is present in your bowel motion.
- You are passing watery or loose motions for more than 48 hours.
- You have noticed a recent change of bowel habit e.g. constipation and/ or diarrhoea.
- You are experiencing incontinence of faeces and or urine.
- You have pain before, during or after passing a bowel motion.

Do you have any questions?
For information pamphlets on bladder and bowel control problems - contact Continence NZ 0800 650 659
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