Bowel Health
Fact #1
The most common bowel problem is constipation.
Fact #2
Good posture when sitting on the toilet allows the bowel to empty properly and reduces straining.
Fact #3
People aged 50 and over should have regular screening tests for bowel cancer.
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Normal bowel function
Normal bowel function
People with healthy bowels generally pass faeces (also called a ‘stool’, ‘bowel movement’ or ‘bowel action’) anywhere between three times each day and three times each week. Normal timing differs between people and depends on diet. A person’s bowel function can also change over time. Good bowel function means you can:
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hold on for a short time after you feel the first urge to go to the toilet. You should not have to rush to the toilet or worry about losing bowel control.
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start to pass a stool as soon as you sit on the toilet. You should not have to wait or strain to get started.
completely empty your rectum each time you go to the toilet.
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Healthy bowel habits
Healthy bowel habits
This information is from www.bladderbowel.gov.au
Wait until you get a strong urge before you go to the toilet. If it takes a long time to start once you sit down you should get up and leave. Return only when you are sure that a bowel action is about to happen. Use a good posture when sitting on the toilet. This allows the bowel to empty properly and reduces straining:
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Lean forward a little and rest your elbows on your knees
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Have your knees higher than your hips. Do this by using a step, or by lifting your heels and being on tiptoes.
Push your lower belly out. This helps to relax the muscles that form a ring around the anus (sphincter).
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Constipation
Constipation
Signs of constipation include:
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lumpy, hard or dry stools
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stools that are painful or difficult to pass • needing to strain to pass a stool
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a feeling that your bowel is not quite empty after going to the toilet or that your bowel is blocked
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passing a stool less than three times a week.
If you have had any of these problems for more than 3 months in the past year, ask your pharmacist or doctor for advice. The best treatment for an individual with constipation depends on the cause.
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Diarrhoea in adults
Diarrhoea in adults
Diarrhoea is when your bowel movements become more frequent and/or more watery than usual. Causes of diarrhoea include:
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infections (e.g. viral infections)
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food intolerances
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irritable bowel syndrome
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Crohn’s disease
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ulcerative colitis
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gastrointestinal tumours
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coeliac disease and other conditions that prevent your bowel from absorbing digested food and fluids properly.
People with diarrhoea should see a doctor if:
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diarrhoea lasts more than 2 days
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they have a fever
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there is blood or pus in the stool
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they have signs of dehydration (e.g. thirsty, lethargic, urinating less than normal amounts, or dizziness)
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they have strong pain in the abdomen or rectum
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they have any chronic medical condition such as heart disease or kidney disease.
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Managing viral diarrhoea
Managing viral diarrhoea
Diarrhoea is commonly caused by an infection (e.g. virus). Your body can usually overcome this type of diarrhoea by itself after a day or a few days without treatment. When you have viral diarrhoea, you need to drink plenty of water. Ask your pharmacist about the best way to manage diarrhoea. See your doctor if diarrhoea lasts more than 2 days or if you have any other symptoms.
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Bowel cancer
Bowel cancer
Bowel cancer (also called colorectal cancer or colon cancer) is one of the most common cancer types in Australia. Most bowel cancers begin as noncancerous growths (polyps) in the bowel. If polyps are detected early, they can be removed before they become cancer. If caught in time, 90% of bowel cancers can be successfully treated. Methods to detect polyps or early-stage cancers include colonoscopy and barium X-ray. Your risk of bowel cancer increases after age 50. People over 50 are encouraged to participate in screening programs. Risk is higher for people with bowel cancer in the family, people who have had bowel polyps ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, people with diabetes, and people with some other inherited conditions. The risk of bowel cancer is reduced by healthy eating, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, avoiding smoking and reducing alcohol use.
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Symptoms of bowel cancer
Symptoms of bowel cancer
Early bowel cancer often has no symptoms, so screening programs have been set up to help find early signs. The most common symptom is bleeding from the rectum. Not all bleeding is due to bowel cancer, but anyone with bleeding should be checked by a doctor. This list of possible symptoms of bowel cancer is from Bowel Cancer Australia:
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a recent, persistent change in bowel habit to looser, more diarrhoea-like motions, going to the toilet more often, or trying to go (e.g. irregularity in someone whose bowels have previously been regular)
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blood (either bright red or very dark) in the stool
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diarrhoea, constipation, or feeling that the bowel does not empty completely
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frequent gas pains, bloating, fullness or cramps
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stools that are narrower than usual
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a lump or mass in your abdomen
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weight loss for no known reason
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persistent, severe abdominal pain that has come on recently for the first time
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feeling very tired
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unexplained vomiting
Having any of these symptoms does not mean you have bowel cancer, but you should see your doctor.
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How to reduce your risk of bowel cancer
How to reduce your risk of bowel cancer
- Have healthy eating habits
- Get regular exercise (at least 30 minutes on most days)
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Quit smoking
- Reduce your alcohol intake
- Take a screening test every 2 years from age 50. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about bowel screening programs.
- If you have a higher risk for bowel cancer (e.g. because of family history or other health conditions), your doctor may advise you to have extra tests.
- Have healthy eating habits
- Get regular exercise (at least 30 minutes on most days)
- Maintain a healthy body weight
- Quit smoking
- Reduce your alcohol intake
- Take a screening test every 2 years from age 50. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about bowel screening programs.
- If you have a higher risk for bowel cancer (e.g. because of family history or other health conditions), your doctor may advise you to have extra tests.
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Healthy eating to reduce bowel cancer risk
Healthy eating to reduce bowel cancer risk
- At least two serves of fruit and five serves of vegetables every day
- Plenty of fibre
- Limit saturated fats and total fat
- Limit red meat and processed meat to no more than three to four times a week
- Avoid burnt meat
- Choose foods low in salt
- Eat only moderate amounts of sugars and foods containing added sugars
- Drink six to eight glasses of water per day
- Limit your alcohol intake (no more than two standard drinks on any day).
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Screening tests for bowel cancer
Screening tests for bowel cancer
Screening means testing people who are not known to have bowel cancer and don’t have symptoms. Screening tests don’t make a final diagnosis, but identify people who need a full medical checkup, including more tests. After the age of 50 you should have a screening test every 1–2 years. This is usually a test for invisible blood in the faeces (faecal occult blood test).
Ask your pharmacist or doctor about where to get at bowel cancer test kits. People who have higher risk for bowel cancer should get individual advice from their doctor.
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Additional resources