anaemia
Low iron levels in the body
anus
Body opening where stools (poo or faeces) leave the body.
bowels
Also known as intestines or gut. Bowels are part of the digestive system, and responsible for the majority of digestion and absorption of nutrients from the food that we eat.
constipation
Condition where you are unable to pass stools (or it’s very uncomfortable or painful) as often you normally would. It can also describe when you are not able to empty your bowels completely.
diarrhoea
A condition where you pass stools (go to the toilet) that are more watery or more often than normal for you.
faeces
Undigested food waste, also known as poo or stools. It exits the body from the anus.
fistula
An abnormal connection or passageway (or ‘channel’) between two organs or blood vessels. An anal fistula is when a small passageway is formed between the end of the bowel and the skin of the anus.
haemorrhoids
Also known as piles – swollen or enlarged blood vessels around the rectum or anus
intestine
Also known as bowels or gut. Intestines are part of the digestive system, and responsible for the majority of digestion and absorption of nutrients from the food that we eat.
oesophagus
The tube that carries food from the mouth to the stomach.