Bowel problems in adults

Is it just me?

Bowel problems are common

It is thought that 10% adults may experience bowel incontinence, with 1-2 % reporting major symptoms. Constipation affects around 20% of the population. These problems can have a major impact on quality of an individual’s life.

The severity of symptoms varies from person to person and is dependent upon diagnosed condition.


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What’s wrong?

Types of bowel problems

 Bowel problems in adults can include:

  • Common issues such as constipation and difficulties emptying the bowel, faecal incontinence, bowel urgency and diarrhoea.
  • Divertucular Disease
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease (e.g. Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis).


Bowel problems are not an inevitable consequence of ageing. There is a wide choice of treatments, products and management options available to people. Changes to lifestyle, such as diet and fluids, can significantly improve bowel health. 

Receiving a diagnosis from your doctor can help to identify the right treatment. 

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