Posts In: Patients & Families

The risk of bowel incontinence can be part of having IBD. Bowel incontinence means the unintended passing of stools (faeces, poo). WHAT IS BOWEL INCONTINENCE? As mentioned above, bowel incontinence means the unintended passing of stools or poo. There are two main forms of bowel incontinence. They are: Urge…

The way the body manages bowel control is very complex. Problems may arise due to IBD itself, or as a result of other factors that can cause bowel control problems for people whether or not they have IBD. The most common causes of bowel incontinence for people with IBD are:…

Talking about fatigue One of the key difficulties with fatigue is that it can be difficult to discuss and explain it as a problem. This can mean that you may find it difficult to talk to your doctor about your fatigue, and therefore may miss out on receiving help. During…

What can I do to reduce my fatigue? REDUCING FATIGUE There are a range of actions you can take to reduce or manage your fatigue. The first, most important, thing for you to do is to ask your doctor or IBD nurse to check that you do not have active…

What causes fatigue in IBD? There are many factors which may contribute to fatigue in IBD. During a flare-up, fatigue may be caused by the body’s response to inflammation and illness, combined with: exhaustion disturbed sleep pain and anxiety Anemia, a common complication of IBD, can add to fatigue.

Student Help HOW DO I GET SUITABLE ACCOMMODATION? While some students prefer to continue living at home, for others living independently is an important part of the university experience. You may find you are offered a place in a student hall of residence for the first year and this can…

HOW DO I FIND OUT WHAT SUPPORT I MIGHT GET? If you request support, you will probably be invited to meet a Disability Adviser. You will need to take a supporting letter from your GP or consultant covering the symptoms of your condition and how flare-ups might affect…

How does fatigue affect people with IBD? Fatigue can have an effect on all aspects of life. Some people find it difficult to function at all when their IBD is active, both because of bowel symptoms, and also fatigue. Research and surveys suggest that fatigue may affect the lives of…

The effects of drugs used for IBD Most of the drugs used for IBD have not been found to affect sexual drive or performance. However, there is some evidence that steroids can affect sexual satisfaction. They can also cause mood changes and depression, which may lead to loss of interest in…

The effects of surgery Surgery for IBD can often involve removal of part of the small intestine or part or all of the colon and rectum. This may result in an ileostomy or colostomy, or, for UC, the creation of an internal ileo-anal pouch (IPAA). For more information on common operations…