What Your Bowel Urgency Symptoms Might Really Mean

In this episode of Life Without Leaks, we're joined by Dr. Maria Roell, internal medicine resident at the Medical University of South Carolina, about bowel urgency and the conditions that commonly cause it.Dr. Roell breaks down the often-confusing differences between IBS and IBD, explains what true medical bowel urgency feels like and outlines when symptoms may signal something more serious. She walks listeners through the diagnostic process - from detailed history and lab work to colonoscopy - and addresses common fears about testing.The conversation also explores treatment pathways, including lifestyle and dietary changes, medications such as steroids and biologics and when surgery may be considered. Importantly, Dr. Roell discusses the emotional toll urgency can take — from anxiety to social isolation - and the life-changing relief that proper diagnosis and treatment can bring.Her key message: bowel urgency is more common than people think, and it is treatable. If symptoms are affecting your quality of life, speak up. You are not alone, and help is available.For more information about the National Association for Continence, click here, and be sure to follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.Music:Rainbows Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 Licensehttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/