Effective bowel management for patients after spinal cord injury
Coggrave, M.
Nursing Times 100(20): 48-51
2004
ISSN/ISBN: 0954-7762 PMID: 15176279 Document Number: 579599
After loss of ability to ambulate, the loss of voluntary control of bowel function has been described as the second most distressing aspect of life following spinal cord injury (SCI) (Glickman and Kamm, 1996). It may be the most distressing for the newly injured person (Rogers, 1991). The significance of this loss and the importance of effective management are emphasised by DeLisa and Kirshblum (1997) who suggest that 'establishing an effective bowel programme is critical because incontinence may interfere with a patient's physical, psychological, social, recreational, and sexual function'.