Tummy or belly at the torso (or trunk) of the body just under the ribcage area and at the digestive tract

Area of tissue that's swollen and contains pus

Pads worn in the pants to soak up urine or bowel leaks

Serious or sudden or sharp arrival at a crisis stage

Medicines used to help relieve the symptoms of stress incontinence

Disease with progressive mental deterioration because of brain deterioration

Blood lacks sufficient red cells or haemoglobin

Last part of the colon just before the anus. It's between 2 and 4cm long

Test used to measure level of nerve function at the anus

Small tear in the tissue at the anus

An involuntary loss of stool and liquid or gas that is a hygienic problem or has a social impact. Faecal incontinence concerns stool and liquid loss, not gas

Tests squeeze and resting pressure of muscles at the anus.

Device used to block the opening at the anus.

Small tear in the muscle tissue at the anus

Test using sound waves to see the anus and rectal structures

Operation to clean the colon via a channel, often using the appendix, at a location in the large bowel called the caecum. Also called the Malone of MACE method or a bowel washout

Operation on part of the pelvic floor muscle

Operation to fix vaginal deformation or prolapse

Medicine derived from bacterium or mould that destroys or hinders growth of microorganisms and fight infection

Medicines to stop involuntary bladder contractions

Medicines to slow down the speed of food going through the gut

Types of anticholinergics, used to block chemical messages

Medicines used to help symptoms or Irritable Bowel Syndrome

The opening at the end of the intestines through which faeces is expelled from the body

Sac at the lower end of the ascending colon

Replacement of sphincter muscle with artificial device

Plural for bacterium which is a single-celled organism that can multiply rapidly. Most bacteria are harmless to humans, but some can cause disease and are classified as pathogenic bacteria

Barium is an alkaline metallic element used to assist in radiology (X-rays) because barium's salts are insoluble and give good contrast. The enema is when barium salts are put into a fluid which is then introduced into the bowel/colon to aid X-ray picture quality

Cream used to protect the skin in the perineal area (betwen anus and scrotum or vagina) from the abrasive effects of exposure urine or faeces

Technique used to modify and control toilet habits

Swallowed gas that moves up the oesophagus and comes out from the mouth

Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate

Use of electrical stimulation and other techniques to raise a person's awareness of a normally automatic body function to help them gain control of it

Test used to look at tissue sample

Muscular sac in the abdomen that receives urine from the kidneys and stores it

Three-day or more record of toilet habits, including fluid intake and urination. Also called a voiding diary

Part of the bladder through which urine is expelled to the urethra

Generic term for different surgical procedures to fix bladder prolapse (slippage)

Hard masses in the bladder

Changing toilet habits to fit into a schedule

Enlargement with fluid or gas

(Trademark) Drug made out of botulin (bacterial toxin) to decrease muscle spasms or hyperactivity (too many) of contractions. Also used in cosmetic surgery

Relating to cows and cattle

Three-day or more record of toilet habits

Leakage from the bowel

Changing toilet habits to fit into a schedule

The colon

The small intestines

The name given to the digestive system consisting of the colon (large intestine), small intestines, rectum and anus

Substance injected into the tissue around the urethra (or anal canal) to create volume around the urethra to keep it closed. (Not to be confused with ‘bulking’ action of fibre supplements used for bowel problems)

Central nervous system stimulant found in coffee, tea, chocolate and other foods and drinks

Disease where a growth in tissue is caused by uncontrolled division of cells

Thin hollow tube used to empty bladder (See Treatment/surgery and Continence Aids) through the urethra

Narrow passage at lower end of the uterus

Recurring or ongoing

The tailbone or bottom part of the spine (also see tailbone)

Most common protein in mammals. Found in the connective tissue of the body. Doesn't disolve in water. Used industrially, such as in producing gelatin. Medical uses include cosmetic surgery and to treat burns

Also known as the large bowel or large intestine. Tube-like structure in the gut that starts at the small intestine and continues to the anus. Mainly responsible for processing the waste of food absorption done by the small intestines

The part of the colon or large intestine that extends from the junction with the small intestine upwards to the transverse colon

The part of the colon or large intestine that extends from the junction with the transverse colon down to the rectum

The part of the colon or large intestine that extends from the junction with the ascending colon across to the descending colon

Part of colon that leads to the rectum, curved

Examination of the colon with a fibre-optic device

Nurse who specialises in the colon and works with colorectal surgeons

Doctor who specialises in the colon and is trained in internal operations and procedures

Surgery to remove part of the colon. Part of the colon is brought to the abdominal wall making an opening called a stoma

Portable toilet

Difficulty passing stool or emptying bowels

Products that manage leakage, such as pads, sheaths and bed and furniture coverings

Health unit that specialises in bowel and bladder continence problems

Specialist nurse trained in all aspects of bowel and urinary control

Contraction of muscles causing pain

An Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Computer assisted X-ray machines

Infection of bladder

Method using X-rays and dyes to view the bladder

Test to assess bladder function

A miniature fibre-optic telescope is used to look at the urinary and bladder structures

Study of cells

Expulsion of excrement from the body

Loss of large amount of water; lack of sufficient water in the body

Smooth muscle of the bladder (smooth muscle isn't under conscious control)

Liquid or loose stool

Expert concerned with diet, eating habits and nutrition

The system of absorbing fluids and nutrients from food that takes place in the stomach, colon and small intestine

Physical examination of internal areas in the pelvis such as the anus or vagina using gloved hands and fingers to feel the internal structures and check for abnormalities

Urine test using chemically coated strip

Substance or drugs that promote or increase urine excretion or help eliminate excess fluid from the body

Both bowel and urinary incontinence

The first part of the small intestine that starts just beyond the stomach.

Electric charge delivered in short bursts

Electrodes or probe used to deliver electric impulses to muscles

Substance that dissolves in solution to become electrically charged and able to conduct electricity, such as sodium or potassium atoms

Procedure where fluid is administered into the colon (or rectum) to wash it out

Stool, faeces

Bowel incontintinence only involving stool or liquid. Anal incontinence involves stool, liquid loss and gas

Abnormally raised body temperature

Medicines resistant to digestive enzymes that can bulk up stool

A passage or channel either caused by surgery or disease between a hollow or tube-like organ and the body's surface, or between two tube-like organs

Build up of gas in the stomach or intestines (see gas)

Wind from the stomach or intestines

Tube in the bladder used for emptying. Used on a long-term basis (needs changed regularly)

Needing to go to the toilet to urinate many times in the day, more than half a dozen or 8 times

Incontinence because of reason other than problems in bowel or bladder

Wind from the stomach or intestines; farting

Medical specialist in disorders of the colon and stomach

Family doctor

Relating to the reproductive organs

Specialist in the health and care of older people

Eye condition that involves increased pressure within the eyeball causing continuous reduction in sight

Genital area

Operation to put leg muscle around

Action that stops the external sphincter from opening when the rectum or bladder starts to increase in size due to filling

Digestive system, colon

Medical specialist in women's reproductive health

Blood in the urine

Swelling of veins in the rectum or anus. Also known as piles

Therapy with oestrogen for women alleviate symptoms of menopause

Substances produced in special cells controlling and influencing reproductive functioning

Removal of the uterus

Spontaneous arising disease with no known cause

Bladder disease with no known cause

Third portion of the small intestine

Medicines used to suppress immune reaction. Used in gastroenterology for inflammatory bowel disease

Stool that's compressed or hardened in the rectum or colon and is stuck

Any degree of leaking from bowel or bladder

Catheter that stays in the bladder for prolonged periods

Disease-causing organism, such as bacteria, enters the body causing illness

Disease affecting the colon causing many problems including inflammation, ulceration and thickening

Emptying the bladder with a catheter that's not permanent

Colon or large bowel that start from the small intestine and goes to the anus

The small bowel that runs from the stomach to the colon

The digestive canal that runs from the stomach to the anus

Method of looking at the bladder and kidneys using dye and X-rays

A portion of the colon slides into another

Syndrome or condition affecting the colon. It can cause discomfort, constipation and diarrhoea

Part of the small intestine between the duodenum and ileum

Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor

Medicines used to stimulate the colon into moving matter and stool out of the body

Seepage of either urine or stool

A group of muscles that make up part of the pelvic floor that surround the vagina, anal canal and urethra

An antimotility medicine used for treating diarrhoea

Technique using magnets and radiowaves to make images of the body's interior