Bladder and bowel problems

Bladder problems might include:

• passing urine (peeing) more often than usual
• passing urine during the night
• a burning feeling when you pass urine (similar to a urine infection)
• a feeling that you are not able to wait when you need to pass urine
• blood in your urine
• leaking small amounts of urine (incontinence).

Contact the hospital straight away if:

• your symptoms get worse
• you have a high temperature
• you feel you cannot pass urine.

Your healthcare team may ask you for a urine sample to check if you have an infection. An infection is a common cause of symptoms and is easy to treat. If the problems do not improve within a few weeks, they may arrange tests. Or they may get more advice for you from a continence specialist.

People often feel embarrassed talking about bladder problems. But if you tell your team, they can help, and it is usually possible to improve it.

There are some things you can do that may help with bladder and bowel problems:

If side effects do not get better, tell your specialist nurse or doctor.

Finding a toilet in a hurry

Bladder or bowel side effects may mean you need to go to the toilet more often. Or that you sometimes need to use the toilet urgently. Some people feel anxious about going out in public because of this.

Planning ahead so that you are prepared can help you feel more confident. We have more information about using public toilets.

Diarrhoea usually means that you have to open your bowels more often than you normally do. The bowel movements are also looser than normal.

Chemotherapy, radiotherapy, targeted therapies and surgery can all cause diarrhoea. Sometimes an infection or other medications can also cause diarrhoea, this includes antibiotics.

If your diarrhoea is caused by radiotherapy or chemotherapy, it is important to take the anti-diarrhoea medicines prescribed by your doctor. If you have diarrhoea after surgery for bowel cancer, talk to your doctor or specialist nurse before changing your diet.

Diarrhoea can be a temporary, mild side effect. But for some people, it can be severe and they will need to see a doctor to help manage it. Tell your doctor if you have diarrhoea or if it is getting worse. They can find out the cause and prescribe anti-diarrhoea medicines.

If you have more than 4 to 6 episodes of diarrhoea a day, contact the hospital on the telephone numbers you have been given and speak to a doctor or nurse.

Tips for coping with diarrhoea

• Drink plenty of liquid (at least 2 litres or 3½ pints a day) to replace the fluid lost with the diarrhoea.
• Avoid drinking alcohol and coffee.
• Eat small, frequent meals made from light foods, for example white fish, poultry, well-cooked eggs, white bread, pasta or rice.
• Eat your meals slowly.
• Eat less fibre (for example cereals, raw fruits and vegetables) until the diarrhoea improves.
• Avoid greasy, fatty foods such as chips and beef burgers, and spicy foods like chilli peppers.

Antibiotics can kill off the healthy bacteria normally found in the bowel. This can cause diarrhoea. The bacteria found in live yoghurt or yoghurt drinks may replace the healthy bacteria so may help ease diarrhoea caused by antibiotics. But you should avoid live yoghurt while you are having chemotherapy or if your immunity is low.