Related diagnoses and conditions
Many health conditions can have an impact on bowel function, and in some cases, bowel irrigation can be part of effective management. This section provides general information about some of the most common conditions where bowel function may be affected, and how bowel irrigation may play a role in supporting care.
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical advice. For personalised assessment or treatment, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Although this overview highlights key conditions, we acknowledge that many other factors can also affect bowel function.
Cauda Equina syndrome
Cauda equina syndrome is a condition that affects the nerves at the base of your spine. It can cause symptoms like back pain, changes in sensation in your legs, or changes in bladder and bowel habits.
Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS)
There are 13 types of EDS, all of which are rare inherited conditions that affect connective tissue. Connective tissues provide support in skin, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels, internal organs and bones. EDS affects people in different ways. For some, the condition is relatively mild, while for others their symptoms can be disabling.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a common condition that affects the digestive system. It causes symptoms such as a change in stool type and frequency, stomach cramps, abdominal pain, bloating, diarrhoea and / or constipation.
Although not life-threatening, IBS can be frustrating to live with and have a big impact on your quality of life.
Low Anterior Resection (LARS)
A low anterior resection is a type of surgery to remove bowel cancer in the rectum.
After your rectum is removed, the two healthy ends of the bowel are joined back together, allowing stool to pass through your bowel. Sometimes a temporary stoma is formed to allow the join to heal. Once it has healed, the stoma can usually be reversed.
Once your stoma is reversed, it’s common for bowel habits to change.
Women's health
At different stages in a woman’s life there are a number of physical and hormonal changes that can affect bowel habits. Things like childbirth, menopause and conditions such as a rectocele can all have an impact.
Multiple Sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis is a condition that affects your brain and spinal cord. It happens when your body’s defence system interferes with the protective covering around your nerves. As a result, this makes it difficult for the messages to travel between your brain and the rest of your body.
This can cause symptoms like tiredness, muscle weakness, changes in vision, or problems with balance and movement. Doctors aren’t completely sure why MS happens, but they know it’s linked to the immune system behaving differently. MS can also affect the nerves that control bowel movements, some may find they lack the sensation to open their bowels and others may find it harder to empty their bowels.
Spinal Cord Injury
A spinal cord injury is when there is damage to the spinal cord, which is the bundle of nerves that carries messages between your brain and the rest of your body. When the spinal cord is injured, these messages can’t travel properly, which can affect movement, and sensation in the body. Symptoms of SCI will depend on the severity and location of the injury. Almost all people with SCI experience problems with their bowels. Symptoms include constipation, faecal incontinence and /or difficulty emptying.