May 31st, 2012

It is a sad but common fact that often people with chronic diseases can experience incontinence and Diabetes is one condition that can cause or worsen incontinence problems.

The physical reason behind this is mainly due to nerve damage where the signals sent to the brain to control or empty the bladder and bowel are not working efficiently.

Obesity is a key risk factor for Type II Diabetes and it is important to manage early signs of incontinence before the symptoms and severity increase.

Here at Fico Centre, we arrange appointments for out-patient treatments of Secca Therapy. This is a minimally invasive procedure, offered as a day case with surgeons across the UK. Please call us to discuss in further detail 0844 561 6606.

 

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May 3rd, 2012

http://www.mstrust.org.uk/msawareness/100000.jsp

More than 100,000 people in the UK have MS

What is MS?

Multiple sclerosis (known as MS) is the most common disabling condition of the central nervous system that affects young adults. The central nervous system is the brain and spinal cord which, together with the nerves connecting to the rest of the body, forms the body’s information superhighway.

The symptoms experienced depend on the position and amount of damage within the central nervous system.

Symptoms can include problems with:

MS is a lifelong condition that affects three times more women than men. Once diagnosed, MS will not go away and, for most people, the symptoms are variable from day to day and unpredictable. This can make living with MS very challenging.

For patients with Faecal Incontinence, there is a new treatment now available in the UK called Secca Therapy and here at Fico Centre we arrange out-patient appointments for this minimally invasive procedure.  Call Karen on 0844 561 6606 if you have any questions and have a look at our website for further information.

 

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April 26th, 2012

A healthy diet will help with faecal incontinence. Remember, if you have significant changes to your bowel movements, see your GP.

For patients with Faecal Incontinence, there is a new treatment now available in the UK called Secca Therapy and here at Fico Centre we arrange out-patient appointments for this minimally invasive procedure.

Call Karen on 0844 561 6606 if you have any questions and have a look at our website for further information.

A diet consisting of 25 to 30 g of fibre a day will help you have healthy bowel movements. It is important to drink 64 oz. of fluid a day when increasing your fibre intake for a healthy bowel movement.

Legumes are a good source of slowly-digesting carbohydrates and resistant starch.

Legumes, including beans, peas and lentils, provide a significant amount of fibre per serving and can help you have a healthy bowel movement. One cup of cooked split peas contains 16 g of fibre and 1 cup of cooked lentils contains 15 g of fibre, meeting at least half of your daily fibre needs. Other high-fibre legumes include kidney beans, garbanzo beans, black beans, lima beans and baked beans. In addition to acting as a good source of fibre, legumes also provide you with protein and iron, and make a healthy meat alternative. Increase your fibre intake with legumes by adding them to soups, salads, and rice and pasta dishes.

Bran Cereals

Bran cereals also contain high amounts of fibre to help support healthy bowel movements. A typical serving of a bran cereal contains 13 to 18 g of fibre. These high-fibre cereals do not have to be limited to breakfast, you can also eat cereal for lunch, dinner or as a snack.

Dried Fruits

Dried fruits also top the list of high-fibre foods to eat for a healthy bowel movement. Three dried figs contain 10.5 g of fibre, two dried apricot halves contain 1.7 g and three prunes contain 1.9 g. Other high-fibre dried fruits include raisins and dates. Increase your fibre intake by adding dried fruits to your snack list or adding to salads or hot cereals.

Fresh Fruits

Snacking on fresh fruit can also increase your fibre intake for a healthy bowel movement. One cup of raspberries contains 8 g of fibre and one medium pear with the skin has 5.5 g. Other high-fibre fruits include apples with the skin, oranges, strawberries and bananas.

Vegetables

High-fibre vegetables for a healthy bowel movement include artichokes, broccoli, turnip greens, potatoes with the skin, sweet corn and Brussels sprouts.

Whole Grains

Whole grains also help promote healthy bowel movements. High fibre whole-grain foods include whole wheat bread and pasta, oatmeal, barley and brown rice.

References

Read more: http://www.livestrong.com/article/291288-the-best-foods-to-eat-for-healthy-bowel-movements/#ixzz1t8vVnzVf

 

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April 19th, 2012

This month is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month and on Tuesday saw a Charity reception at No.10 Downing Street celebrating Bowel Cancer UK’s 25th Anniversary.

Here,  Bowel Cancer UK tell us all about the evening, which was supported by many high profile names. Fico Centre http://www.ficocentre.com would like to congratulate Bowel Cancer UK on the great job they do and urge people to support this cause that touches so many lives. You can get involved by visiting http://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk

Guests ranging from Hollywood movie stars to peers of the Realm joined Samantha Cameron at a reception for Bowel Cancer UK to celebrate the charity’s 25th Anniversary on Tuesday 17th April 2012.

120 people were invited to No.10 to join Samantha Cameron including architect Lord Foster, Hollywood actor Tom Hardy, actress Charlotte Riley, TV presenter Julia Bradbury, Cricketer Chris Read, news presenter Charlene White and Chef Aldo Zilli as well as leading cancer medics, corporate and private donors to help raise awareness of bowel cancer.

Among the guests at the reception was world renowned architect Lord Norman Foster, Bowel Cancer UK’s Ambassador who said: “There is much to celebrate as mortality rates have dropped by nearly 30% over the last 25 years but nearly half a million people have died from bowel cancer. There is still a long way to go to change the profile and image of this curable disease. Join us to raise awareness and save lives.”

Actor Tom Hardy and actress Charlotte Riley said: “”We are honoured to be invited to this event. Bowel Cancer UK is an important charity and that’s why we’re here.”

Deborah Alsina, CEO, Bowel Cancer UK said: “We’d like to thank Samantha Cameron for helping us to raise awareness of bowel cancer. It’s the second biggest cancer killer in the UK. The disease is very treatable especially if diagnosed early. That is why raising awareness of the symptoms is so vital. ”

Source : Bowel Cancer UK

 

 

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April 12th, 2012

Whether you are a woman experiencing bowel or pelvic floor issues suffered during pregnancy or,  as a new mum; bowel incontinence and pelvic floor dysfunction may well be up there with your health concerns.

Many women find that after having children and during the menopause they experience changes in their pelvic floor. These problems are very common but can have a significant effect on women’s quality of life.

Bowel incontinence can be caused by damage to the muscles or nerves around the anus and in women these sometimes occur during childbirth.

For patients with Faecal Incontinence, there is a new treatment now available in the UK called Secca Therapy and here at Fico Centre we arrange out-patient appointments for this minimally invasive procedure.  Call Karen on 0844 561 6606 if you have any questions and have a look at our website for further information.

 

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April 5th, 2012

April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month, here we have shared with you information from Bowel Cancer UK to help to raise awareness.

Bowel cancer is also referred to as colorectal or colon cancer. Nearly all bowel cancers develop in the large bowel – two-thirds of these are in the colon and one-third in the rectum.

Most bowel cancers develop from polyps which are usually non-cancerous and, once detected, can be removed easily if caught early enough.

The bowel is divided into the small bowel (small intestine) and the large bowel (colon and rectum).

Cancer of the small bowel is rare with only just over 700 people diagnosed in the UK each year.

The bowel is divided into four sections:

  • ascending
  • transverse
  • descending
  • sigmoid

The bowel is part of our digestive system. Food passes from the stomach to the small bowel. After the small bowel takes nutrients into the body, any undigested food passes through the large bowel, where water is removed from the waste matter. This waste matter is held in the rectum (back passage) until it leaves the body as bowel motions (also known as stools or faeces).

Cancer occurs when cells in your bowel multiply out of control. These cells can invade surrounding tissue and spread to other parts of the body.

For further information please contact Bowel Cancer UK

http://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/understanding-bowel-cancer/what-is-bowel-cancer/

For patients with Faecal Incontinence, there is a new treatment now available in the UK called Secca Therapy and here at Fico Centre we arrange out-patient appointments for this minimally invasive procedure.  Call Karen on 0844 561 6606 if you have any questions and have a look at our website for further information.

 

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March 29th, 2012

Diabetes is a long-term (chronic) condition caused by too much glucose, a type of sugar, in the blood. It is also sometimes known as diabetes mellitus. Diabetes affects 2.8 million people in the UK. It is thought that a further one million people have the condition but are not aware of it.

Often, diabetics suffer from Faecal Incontinence and suffer the low self esteem that comes with this problem of Bowel Control Disorder, stool leakage and weak anal sphincter muscles.

For patients with Faecal Incontinence, there is a new treatment now available in the UK called Secca Therapy and here at Fico Centre we arrange out-patient appointments for this minimally invasive procedure.

Call Karen on 0844 561 6606 if you have any questions and have a look at our website here for further information.

 

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March 22nd, 2012

Our bowels need to be kept healthy and eating a well balanced diet is certainly not only good for our digestion, but helps keep diseases at bay such as Bowel / Colon Cancer.

Food affects the consistency of stool and how quickly it passes through the digestive system. Adjusting what is eaten and when may be helpful in management of FI and the symptoms of Bowel Control Disorder.

• Avoid gas producing foods (beans, cabbage, etc.)
• Foods high in fat and large meals can trigger symptoms
• Certain sweeteners, honey and also some fruits are poorly absorbed by the bowels
• Avoid caffeine, fried foods, spicy foods and alcohol

Bowel Control Disorder/ Faecal Incontinence is an embarrassing, distressful condition that can cause sufferers to have a lack of self esteem, makes them withdraw from society and create the onset of depression.

Fico Centre offers a treatment called Secca. It is a fast, effective, non surgical procedure and is available at one of our centres across the UK. Please call us if you would like to discuss the treatment in confidence on 0844 561 6606.

Below are some guidelines on eating healthily, we hope this is of some help.

A diet based on starchy foods such as rice and pasta; with plenty of fruit and vegetables; some protein-rich foods such as meat, fish and lentils; some milk and dairy foods; and not too much fat, salt or sugar, will give you all the nutrients you need.

When it comes to a healthy diet, balance is the key to getting it right. This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amout of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

Most adults in England are either overweight or obese. That means many of us are eating more than we need, and should eat less. And it’s not just food: some drinks can also be high in calories. Most adults need to eat and drink fewer calories in order to lose weight, even if they already eat a balanced diet.

All the food we eat can be divided into five groups. Try to choose a variety of different foods from the first four groups.

  • Fruit and vegetables.
  • Starchy foods, such as rice, pasta, bread and potatoes. Choose wholegrain varieties whenever you can.
  • Meat, fish, eggs and beans.
  • Milk and dairy foods.
  • Foods containing fat and sugar.

 

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March 16th, 2012

Many people are often too embarrassed to seek help over losing control of their bowels, however it’s really important to seek medical advice to rule out a multitude of other conditions which may cause this.

There are over 100,000 sufferers of MS in this Country, unfortunately for some, bowel incontinence is an added burden for them. We have taken the information below from the Multiple Sclerosis website, but for any further information you should take a look here

Part 1.

What exactly is Faecal Incontinence?

People with faecal incontinence have difficulty controlling their bowel. As a result, they pass faeces, or stools, at the wrong time or in the wrong place. They may also pass wind without control or totally lose control and soil themselves.

What causes Faecal Incontinence ?

It can result from damage to the coordination of the bowel mechanism caused by MS or diarrhoea from overuse of laxatives. Faecal incontinence can also be a by-product of constipation with poorly formed stools overflowing around impacted stool.

How can Faecal Incontinence be treated?

The first step is to obtain a referral to a Continence Advisor via a Neurologist, GP or in some areas of the U.K. a person may seek one out and ‘self-refer’. This will lead to a bowel assessment to determine the cause of the problem, for example if it’s caused by the spilling over of liquid bowel contents due to constipation or faulty bowel mechanism due to MS.

Ficocentre offer Secca Procedure with consultant surgeons across the UK. Secca is a non surgical treatment, it takes approximately 60 minutes to perform and the patient can return home after a few hours. We are happy to have an informal chat with you first to discuss appointments and what to expect, we can be contacted on 0844 561 6606.

 

 

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March 13th, 2012

Following a pregnancy, if you develop faecal/bowl control disorder, there is a good chance that you can help the symptoms with pelvic floor exercises. Many new (and older) mums experience bowel control problems, here are some questions answered below on Pelvic Floor.

What is my pelvic floor?

Your pelvic floor is a broad sling of muscles, ligaments and sheet-like tissues. It stretches from your pubic bone at the front of your body to the base of your spine at the back. If it bears weight for a long time (as it does during pregnancy), the muscles or tissues can become over-stretched and weak.

Why is my pelvic floor so important?

Your pelvic floor supports your bladder, bowel and uterus (womb). So your pelvic floor gives you control over when you empty your bladder and your bowels. Having a weak pelvic floor makes it harder for you to squeeze the muscles (sphincters) at the bottom of your bladder to stop wee escaping. You may find you accidentally leak a little wee when you cough, sneeze or exercise. This is called stress incontinence. You may find this continues after you’ve had your baby. Postnatal stress incontinence affects up to a third of all new mums.

It’s not just during pregnancy and childbirth that your pelvic floor is important. You’ll need to keep it strong for the rest of your life to guard against problems later, especially after the menopause.

Later in life, if your vaginal muscles are weak, it’s possible for your uterus to sag down and push against the walls of your vagina. This is called prolapse. It’s thought that four out of 10 women over the age of 50 have some degree of prolapse.

The good news is that you can do something about it. If you do your pelvic floor exercises every day, you’ll be guarding against problems later. If you have concerns about Bowel Incontinence, then call Karen now here at Fico Centre and she will talk you through the Secca Procedure.

 

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