Bowel Program: Upper Motor Neuron Injury
We understand that you are at a time in your life when going to the bathroom is not something you want to think about. After a spinal cord injury, the way your body functions changes and now you are faced with not only thinking about going to the bathroom but sometimes feeling like your whole life revolves around it. This document will introduce you to what makes up a bowel program.
What Is a Bowel Program?
A healthy functioning bowel system is the combination of many factors. In addition to establishing a consistent bowel program, attention to diet, fluid intake, activity, and medications all play a part in maintaining bowel health.
A bowel program establishes a regular time to stimulate the bowels to cause a bowel movement. The primary goal of a bowel program is to promote regular emptying of the bowels for cleansing and health. Establishing a bowel program will help prevent involuntary bowel movements, constipation, and impaction of the bowels.
Understanding Upper Motor Neuron (UMN) Injuries
The first step in establishing a bowel program is in understanding your spinal cord injury and how it has affected your body.
Upper motor neuron (UMN) injuries are usually at T12 and above. These injuries are spastic; muscle spasms are common and the colon is really tight. People with this type of injury usually need to do digital stimulation and use suppositories to help stimulate the reflex to defecate. With upper motor neuron injuries, the goal is to have soft-formed stool, similar in consistency to wet shredded wheat.
Factors That Affect Bowel Program Success
Many factors play a role in developing the bowel program – all of which affect the consistency of your stool. These factors include:
- Diet and fluid Intake
- Activity
- Medications
- Timing of the program
- Positioning and aids used
You must decide your plan for each element above. The bowel program is a combination of all of these factors – not just the physical act of going to the bathroom. People who are very consistent with each element of the bowel program tend to have the fewest complications and the most success with regular bowel movements after a spinal cord injury.
Timing in a Spinal Cord Injury Bowel Program
For your bowel program to be successful, the regularity of time is important. Doing your bowel program at the same time of day every day with the same method is essential. The normal reflex functions of the bowel increase after the evening or morning meals, so some people find this is the most convenient time to schedule and do their bowel program.
Creating a regular bowel program and establishing a routine will take some time. Maintaining a consistent daily schedule is important so that your body can get used to the elimination process happening with regularity. If you are unable to do this at exactly the same time, try to do it within a two-hour frame of your established time. Running very late or even skipping your bowel program will place you at risk of an involuntary stool (accidental stools). A suppository, digital stimulation, a combination of the two or a mini enema can stimulate the bowel. By using these, involuntary stools, constipation and impaction of the bowels can be prevented.
Suppository and Digital Stimulation Guidelines
From the insertion of the suppository or mini-enema to the end of cleanup, the process should take no longer than one hour. This is also true if you don’t use any of these products to assist with the bowel program.
Be sure to wash and dry your hands thoroughly before and after performing the bowel program. If you use a suppository, you need to lie on your left side. Do a rectal check for any stool that is present in the rectum. The suppository should be coated with a water-soluble lubricant. Now insert the suppository into the rectum, next to the rectal wall, which is towards the backbone. Do not place the suppository directly into any stool, as the chemicals in the suppository need to have contact with the rectal wall or tissue in order to work correctly. This is done while remaining on your left side. Stay on your left side for 20 minutes so the medication from the suppository will be absorbed.
Fingernail length should be no longer than a quarter-inch (1/4″) beyond the fingertip. Nails – both natural and artificial – should be kept clean and gloves should be used. Hands should be washed with each glove change. Polished nail should not be chipped or cracked. Digital stimulation should not be done too vigorously.
Positioning Tips for Better Results
If you need to stay in bed due to skin issues, illness, or other reasons, stay on your left side and start digital stimulation of the rectum. You stay on your left because the large intestine empties to the left side of your stomach, which makes it easier.
Sitting on a commode chair or toilet is the best position for your bowel program. Gravity then helps empty the stool from the rectum. If transferring to a commode chair or toilet, transfer after 15-20 minutes after insertion of the suppository then begin digital stimulation after transferring to the commode or toilet. Read the instructions on your suppository to be sure there are no other directions. It is okay if your bowels start to empty on their own after the suppository.
If using a mini-enema, then transfer to a commode or toilet first. Insert the mini-enema; you only need to wait for 10-15 minutes, as the solution is already dissolved and works quickly.
When Do I Know if I’m Finished Doing the Bowel Program?
- A rectal check with a gloved and lubricated forefinger comes out clean 2-3 times
- No more stool is present
- You feel complete and empty
- Getting mucous but no stool with digital stimulation.
Is There Anything That Can Assist in Having Better Success With My Bowel Program?
- It is recommended to have warm liquids 30 minutes before starting your bowel program.
- You can do an abdominal massage. The best approach is to move from the lower right side of your abdomen to the top, then across the top to the left, and finally down the left, mimicking the natural path of your bowel as it moves stool through to the rectum.
- You can also lean forward or sideways to help. Be sure to have your safety belt on when doing this.
- If you’re able to do so, you can do push-ups by raising your body off the commode or toilet seat.
Final Thoughts on UMN Bowel Programs
Be sure to monitor your bowel program for signs of diarrhea or constipation. Regarding constipation, it has been found that it can be a contributing factor to purple urine bag syndrome (PUBS). Know that it will take time and patience to get the process regulated, but in the end it will lead to a happier life.
Revised: 1/2015
This resource is provided as a courtesy of Craig Hospital. For more information, contact the Craig Hospital Nurse Advice Line at 1-800-247-0257.
Disclaimer: The content in this document is intended for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions. No professional relationship is implied or otherwise established by reading this document. You should not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting with a qualified healthcare provider. Many of the resources references are not affiliated with Craig Hospital. Craig Hospital assumes no liability for any third party material or for any action or inaction taken as a result of any content or any suggestions made in this document and should not be relied upon without independent investigation. The information on this page is a public service provided by Craig Hospital and in no way represents a recommendation or endorsement by Craig Hospital.