Latest news with #OscarDuke
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
6 toilet habit changes you should always see a doctor about
No one enjoys talking about bowel movements. But ignoring the signs your body is trying to send you can mean putting off a diagnosis you really need to hear. Just ask TOWIE star Chloe Meadows. The reality TV regular recently shared on Dr Oscar Duke's Bedside Manners podcast that she'd spent a decade silently struggling with bleeding, stomach pain and extreme fatigue before finally getting a diagnosis: ulcerative colitis, a chronic condition that causes inflammation and ulcers in the colon. She lived with on-and-off symptoms for years, assuming they'd passed. It wasn't until age 26, when she became visibly unwell, that a blood test led her to A&E and finally, a diagnosis. Meadows' experience is an important reminder that when your toilet habits change – and stay changed – it's time to talk to your GP. Below, we break down six toilet-related red flags that experts say you should never ignore. And no, it's not just about your bowel movements; your wee, urgency levels, and even smells all matter, too. Whether you're suddenly constipated, dealing with constant diarrhoea, or noticing your stool looks different (narrower, paler or greasy), changes that last longer than a few weeks are worth investigating. The NHS advises that ongoing shifts in bowel habits could be linked to anything from diet and stress to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), coeliac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In some cases, persistent symptoms could be a sign of bowel cancer, so don't brush them off. When to see your GP: If your usual routine has changed for more than two to three weeks, especially if it's paired with stomach pain, fatigue, or weight loss. It might be bright red or dark and tarry; either way, it's not something to ignore. Bright red blood can come from piles or small tears, but darker blood might mean there's bleeding higher up in the digestive system. When to see your GP: If you see blood in your poo. You may be offered a stool test, or in some cases, a referral for further checks. If anything feels amiss and suddenly starts to sting, burn or feel uncomfortable, you might assume it's a urinary tract infection (UTI). And often, that's true. But it can also be a sign of kidney stones or bladder issues. Blood in your urine should also be taken seriously, even if it only happens once. When to see your GP: If you have pain while urinating, see blood or feel the urge to go far more often than usual. Needing the loo more often than usual (especially at night), feeling like you can't wait, or leaking a little when you cough, sneeze or laugh could signal an overactive bladder, prostate issues (in men), or pelvic floor dysfunction. These symptoms might feel embarrassing, but they're generally common and manageable with the right support. When to see your GP: If bladder leaks or urgency interfere with your daily life, or if you notice a sudden change in how often you need to go. A little mucus in your stool isn't always a worry, but frequent slimy stools can be a sign of infection or inflammation in your gut. When to see your GP: If mucus appears regularly, especially if it comes with bloating, pain or a change in bowel movements. If going to the toilet has become uncomfortable, painful, or feels like hard work, that's your body waving a red flag. Regular straining can cause or worsen hemorrhoids, but it might also signal bowel issues or even neurological problems affecting your pelvic floor. When to see your GP: If you're straining often, feel like you're not fully emptying your bowels, or notice pain during or after a bowel movement. If you're unsure, remember that everyone has their own baseline of what's 'normal'. However, there are a few simple signs to watch for as a guide. According to the Bladder and Bowel Health Service, healthy bowel movements should be soft, smooth and easy to pass; ideally at least three times a week. You should also be able to urinate without pain or discomfort. If you also notice you're often bloated, tired, straining, or notice blood or mucus, it's time to speak to your GP. Changes might be harmless, but they're always worth checking. Read more on bowel habits: This Poop Chart Will Tell You If Your Bathroom Habits Are Actually Healthy Or If You Need To See A Doctor ASAP (Buzzfeed, 4-min read) How 'blowing bubbles' and 'mooing' can help ease constipation, according to NHS doctor (Yahoo Life UK, 4-min read) Bowel cancer cases in young people rising sharply in England, study finds (PA Media, 4-min read)
South Wales Guardian
4 days ago
- Health
- South Wales Guardian
Chloe Meadows so ‘scared' she ignored ulcerative colitis symptoms for a decade
The former star of The Only Way Is Essex, 33, first discovered blood in her stool, a symptom of ulcerative colitis, when she was 16. 'I went to a college where I boarded when I was 16. I was staying away from home and I was living in a student house and there was blood down the toilet', she told Dr Oscar Duke's Bedside Manners podcast. 'I remember I told my mum and I was like, there's quite a lot of blood down the toilet. I'm not really sure what's going on. 'She was of course like, go to the doctors. I went to the doctors, and they said that I would have to have a colonoscopy, which is a camera into the bowel.' Meadows added: 'At this point in my life, I had never really ever been to the hospital. I'd never been sick. 'I'd never had any procedure or operation. I'd never been sedated. I'd never had anything and the doctor referred me and I got this letter, and this is awful, but I got this letter and I just never went to the appointment because I was terrified. 'Then I ignored it and what would happen, which is what I realise now, is that I can go into remission, I can go into a flare-up in remission. 'It would stop for periods of time so that the blood would go away. I'd be like, 'Oh, cool, it's gone away, I'm better. There's nothing wrong with me'. 'I'd go through years where it wouldn't happen and then it would happen again, and then it would stop again. 'I would probably lie to my mum about how much it would happen because she always pestered me about it and I was like, 'No, it's fine'. 'I just got on with it and ignored it. I think I was scared of having any procedure done. 'I was also scared of what they were going to tell me … I was just terrified, which is not really a reason not to go to the doctor, but I think that's just what I thought. 'I was young as well, so I would forget when there wasn't blood down the toilet, I would completely forget.' Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed, according to the NHS website. Symptoms include recurring diarrhoea, which may contain blood, extreme tiredness, loss of appetite and weight loss. Meadows said she had some health checks aged 26, 10 years after her symptoms first appeared, after she went on a diet at a time where she was also losing a lot of blood. Her mother intervened and said she should go to the doctors and get a blood test as she looked 'grey'. While she was out filming, after she had the blood tests, Meadows received a number of missed calls from her father who then texted her to say a doctor had advised her she should got straight to A&E because her 'blood was so low'. 'I went to the hospital. I had to have all of these checks and these iron infusions and that was where it started,' she said. Meadows also revealed that she had 'probably my longest flare-up' after filming a nerve wracking scene on Towie. Some people with ulcerative colitis may go for weeks or months with very mild symptoms, or none at all (remission), followed by flare-ups and relapses, according to the NHS website. Treatment options include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and surgery. Charity Crohn's And Colitis UK says there are more than 300,000 people in the UK living with colitis.
Leader Live
4 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Chloe Meadows so ‘scared' she ignored ulcerative colitis symptoms for a decade
The former star of The Only Way Is Essex, 33, first discovered blood in her stool, a symptom of ulcerative colitis, when she was 16. 'I went to a college where I boarded when I was 16. I was staying away from home and I was living in a student house and there was blood down the toilet', she told Dr Oscar Duke's Bedside Manners podcast. 'I remember I told my mum and I was like, there's quite a lot of blood down the toilet. I'm not really sure what's going on. 'She was of course like, go to the doctors. I went to the doctors, and they said that I would have to have a colonoscopy, which is a camera into the bowel.' Meadows added: 'At this point in my life, I had never really ever been to the hospital. I'd never been sick. 'I'd never had any procedure or operation. I'd never been sedated. I'd never had anything and the doctor referred me and I got this letter, and this is awful, but I got this letter and I just never went to the appointment because I was terrified. 'Then I ignored it and what would happen, which is what I realise now, is that I can go into remission, I can go into a flare-up in remission. 'It would stop for periods of time so that the blood would go away. I'd be like, 'Oh, cool, it's gone away, I'm better. There's nothing wrong with me'. 'I'd go through years where it wouldn't happen and then it would happen again, and then it would stop again. 'I would probably lie to my mum about how much it would happen because she always pestered me about it and I was like, 'No, it's fine'. 'I just got on with it and ignored it. I think I was scared of having any procedure done. 'I was also scared of what they were going to tell me … I was just terrified, which is not really a reason not to go to the doctor, but I think that's just what I thought. 'I was young as well, so I would forget when there wasn't blood down the toilet, I would completely forget.' Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed, according to the NHS website. Symptoms include recurring diarrhoea, which may contain blood, extreme tiredness, loss of appetite and weight loss. Meadows said she had some health checks aged 26, 10 years after her symptoms first appeared, after she went on a diet at a time where she was also losing a lot of blood. Her mother intervened and said she should go to the doctors and get a blood test as she looked 'grey'. While she was out filming, after she had the blood tests, Meadows received a number of missed calls from her father who then texted her to say a doctor had advised her she should got straight to A&E because her 'blood was so low'. 'I went to the hospital. I had to have all of these checks and these iron infusions and that was where it started,' she said. Meadows also revealed that she had 'probably my longest flare-up' after filming a nerve wracking scene on Towie. Some people with ulcerative colitis may go for weeks or months with very mild symptoms, or none at all (remission), followed by flare-ups and relapses, according to the NHS website. Treatment options include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and surgery. Charity Crohn's And Colitis UK says there are more than 300,000 people in the UK living with colitis.
Irish Independent
5 days ago
- Health
- Irish Independent
Chloe Meadows so ‘scared' she ignored ulcerative colitis symptoms for a decade
The former star of The Only Way Is Essex, 33, first discovered blood in her stool, a symptom of ulcerative colitis, when she was 16. 'I went to a college where I boarded when I was 16. I was staying away from home and I was living in a student house and there was blood down the toilet', she told Dr Oscar Duke's Bedside Manners podcast. 'I remember I told my mum and I was like, there's quite a lot of blood down the toilet. I'm not really sure what's going on. 'She was of course like, go to the doctors. I went to the doctors, and they said that I would have to have a colonoscopy, which is a camera into the bowel.' Meadows added: 'At this point in my life, I had never really ever been to the hospital. I'd never been sick. 'I'd never had any procedure or operation. I'd never been sedated. I'd never had anything and the doctor referred me and I got this letter, and this is awful, but I got this letter and I just never went to the appointment because I was terrified. 'Then I ignored it and what would happen, which is what I realise now, is that I can go into remission, I can go into a flare-up in remission. 'It would stop for periods of time so that the blood would go away. I'd be like, 'Oh, cool, it's gone away, I'm better. There's nothing wrong with me'. 'I'd go through years where it wouldn't happen and then it would happen again, and then it would stop again. 'I would probably lie to my mum about how much it would happen because she always pestered me about it and I was like, 'No, it's fine'. 'I just got on with it and ignored it. I think I was scared of having any procedure done. 'I was also scared of what they were going to tell me … I was just terrified, which is not really a reason not to go to the doctor, but I think that's just what I thought. I was just terrified, which is not really a reason not to go to the doctor, but I think that's just what I thought Chloe Meadows 'I was young as well, so I would forget when there wasn't blood down the toilet, I would completely forget.' Ulcerative colitis is a long-term condition where the colon and rectum become inflamed, according to the NHS website. Symptoms include recurring diarrhoea, which may contain blood, extreme tiredness, loss of appetite and weight loss. Meadows said she had some health checks aged 26, 10 years after her symptoms first appeared, after she went on a diet at a time where she was also losing a lot of blood. Her mother intervened and said she should go to the doctors and get a blood test as she looked 'grey'. While she was out filming, after she had the blood tests, Meadows received a number of missed calls from her father who then texted her to say a doctor had advised her she should got straight to A&E because her 'blood was so low'. 'I went to the hospital. I had to have all of these checks and these iron infusions and that was where it started,' she said. Meadows also revealed that she had 'probably my longest flare-up' after filming a nerve wracking scene on Towie. Some people with ulcerative colitis may go for weeks or months with very mild symptoms, or none at all (remission), followed by flare-ups and relapses, according to the NHS website. Treatment options include corticosteroids, immunosuppressants and surgery. Charity Crohn's And Colitis UK says there are more than 300,000 people in the UK living with colitis.
