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.

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