Bile Acid Diarrhoea

(also Bile Acid Malabsorption or Bile Salt Malabsorption)

Bile Acid Diarrhoea (BAD) is a type of chronic diarrhoea which is a very painful, embarrassing and debilitating condition causing numerous episodes of watery and urgent bowel motions sometimes resulting in faecal accidents. It is estimated that it affects 1:100 people.  

Currently the condition is not very well known due to there being limited access to diagnostic testing and a general lack of awareness amongst doctors and the general public resulting in people having undiagnosed symptoms for many years, undergoing repeated unnecessary investigations causing a significant and prolonged negative impact on quality of life and self esteem.

However, there is good news, in recent years this has begun to change with more research being undertaken into the condition and an increasing awareness growing slowly within the medical world.