Factors Involved in a Bowel Care Program for a Spinal Cord Injury
A
spinal cord injury (SCI) generally affects the process
of eliminating waste from the intestines. You may not be able to control when
you have a bowel movement, or you may not be able to have one. A bowel
management program allows you to deal with any bowel problems you have. When
creating this program, you and your rehabilitation team will discuss:
- What type of bowel problem you
have.
- Your previous history of bowel movements. How often did you
have them?
- Where you will do the program—on a toilet or on a
bed?
- Any emotional concerns you have.
- Any
gastrointestinal problems you had before the SCI, such as
irritable bowel syndrome or
lactose intolerance.
- Medicines that you need
for your SCI or other problems. Medicine frequently affects the bowel and can
cause constipation or diarrhea.
- Your diet.
- Your
lifestyle. Do you go to school or work? Do you get any
exercise?
- Your time. It typically takes about 45 minutes to
complete a bowel program.
Credits
| By | Healthwise Staff |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Nancy Greenwald, MD - Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
| Last Revised | February 16, 2011 |