There are several types of bowel dysfunction.
Both constipation and diarrhoea can be acute or chronic.
An accurate bowel chart/record is the key to diagnosing type of dysfunction.
‘Constipation is defecation that is unsatisfactory because of infrequent stools, difficult stool passage, or seemingly incomplete defecation. Stools are often dry and hard, and may be abnormally large or abnormally small’ (NICE Guidelines). ‘Constipation is associated with rectal and abdominal pain, painful defaecation, difficulty with evacuation, straining at stool, bloating, prolonged evacuation, faecal incontinence and a sensation of incomplete evacuation’ (Guidelines for Management of Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction in Individuals with Central Neurological Conditions, Multidisciplinary Association of Spinal Cord Injured Professionals, 2012). Refer to NICE Clinical Knowledge Summaries for further information
Guidelines for the Management of Acute Constipation
Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Constipation
Diarrhoea is loose, watery stools.
Guidelines for the Management of Acute Diarrhoea
Guidelines for the Management of Chronic Diarrhoea
Faecal Incontinence refers to the uncontrolled passage of solid or liquid faeces at a socially inappropriate time and place. Faecal incontinence is sign/symptom and it is therefore important to diagnose the underlying cause.
Guidelines for the Management of Faecal Incontinence
Faecal Loading or Impaction refers to unresolved constipation, and if not treated can cause an obstruction of the bowel.
Guidelines for the Management of Faecal Loading/Impaction
Neurogenic Bowel Dysfunction refers to dysfunction of the colon (constipation, faecal incontinence and disordered defaecation) due to loss of normal sensory and/or motor control or both, as a result of central neurological disease or damage.
Who Can Establish a Neurogenic Bowel Programme?
Establishing a Neurogenic Bowel Management Programme
Autonomic Dysreflexia refers to an emergency condition which affects people with upper spinal cord lesions usually at or above the level of T6. The symptoms are caused by a rapid rise in blood pressure, which is induced by a problem below the level of the spinal lesion for example constipation, blocked catheter, pressure ulcer, urinary retention.
PLEASE NOTE: prompt recognition and urgent resolution of the causative factor is required. Autonomic dysreflexia can be rapidly fatal. Seek urgent medical advice.
Further Advice for the Management of Bowel Dysfunction