In this article, we answer the question: can spinal problems cause digestive issues? And discuss how spinal problems can impact the digestive system and the treatment and management surrounding the issue.
The importance of nutrition
Nutrition comes from the food we eat. The stomach and small intestine will pull nutrients from your diet to give you energy throughout the day. The rest of the food will become leftover waste that your body doesn’t need.
Waste will develop into a stool within the colon and rectum and exits the body when ready. Passing a stool out of the body is called a bowel movement. As we have mentioned in articles prior, this can be difficult for those dealing with spinal cord injury. Issues such as constipation or incontinence can occur in this circumstance.
The impact of spinal cord injury
Spinal cord injuries, depending on their severity, can cause spasticity or flaccidity in the muscles of the pelvic floor and rectum. Those with incomplete spinal cord injuries may experience more sensation and have more muscle strength so tend to have fewer struggles with bowel management compared to those with complete injuries.
A spinal cord injury leading to bowel problems can cause:
- Problems moving waste through your colon
- Pain in your abdomen when passing a stool – also difficulty when trying to pass a stool
- Struggles to eat more or less, feeling fuller or eating less than normal
- An impact on mental health, highlighting depression and anxiety
- Vomiting and stomach issues.
Potential treatment and management
During the early aftermath of spinal cord injury, a doctor may advise numerous treatments and management programmes to help you through recovery, depending on the underlying source.
An introduction to bowel programmes
Often, a doctor will consider introducing a bowel programme to help regulate bowel movements and make the process less painful. To supply this, a doctor needs to know:
- The level of injury and whether the SCI is incomplete or complete
- Pattern and details of bowel movements
- Any previous medical history and problems
- Details on lifestyle, food diaries and physical activities
- Gastrointestinal tests
- Available resources
- Goals of a bowel programme
A doctor will work with you to outline the goals and expectations of a bowel programme to get the most out of the recovery process. Including:
- Passing a stool either daily or on an every other day basis
- Limiting or preventing unplanned bowel movements
- Passing an acceptable amount of stool during every bowel movement (medium to large)
- Emptying the full (or most of) rectum every day
- Experiencing stools that are comfortable, soft and formed
- Emptying the bowel within a certain timeframe (30 to 60 minutes after food intake)
What to expect
Bowel programmes are different for everyone and will cater to each individual depending on the severity of their injury. Each person will require different steps and will respond differently to each recommendation.
Food and drink
While it is not the be-all and end-all, following a healthy diet will contribute to the easing of any digestion issues. Increasing the intake of natural fibres from fruits and vegetables will form stronger stool, which is easier to digest and pass through. Fluids are crucial when eating a high fibre diet, as you may become constipated otherwise. It is recommended to drink around 2 to 3 litres of water a day unless advised otherwise by your doctor.
Water is recommended and it is advised that you avoid drinking a high caffeine intake, as they are known to remove fluids from your body.
Bowel management techniques
There are many techniques you can utilise to encourage bowel movement. These can be done at home or with support from a carer. These include digital removal of stool, enemas, catheters and digital rectal stimulation.
Medication
Some of the medications used to help spinal cord injury pain may cause constipation. Medication from a bowel programme can be used either orally or rectally to help encourage bowel movement. You may be prescribed bulking laxatives, stimulant laxatives, rectal laxatives or stool softeners to help.
Other options to consider
Depending on the level of injury, it might be difficult to follow a bowel programme. Likewise, in some cases, a bowel programme just might not work for you. If this is your situation, there are numerous other options to choose from, such as surgery.
Surgery is a great option if you find it difficult to complete regular bowel movements. If you are experiencing chronic constipation without access to regular support from a carer, surgery can help aid in making the process less painful and create better bowel movements. Surgeries include performing a colostomy or an antegrade continence enema.
Making recovery that little bit easier
Living with spinal cord injury comes with multiple other side effects you may not be aware of until you are dealing with them. Aspire Law can help you get the right support you need to recover. Get in touch with us today to find out more.
