Bowel management

• Factors that affect incontinence 


  Stress

  Overflow

  Function

  Reflex
• Causes of diarrhea 


  Irritation or inflammation of the GI tract

  Disease

  Medications

  Anxiety or stress
• causes of constipation 


  lack of fibre

  chronic use of laxatives

  certain diseases - Parkinson’s , CVA , MS

  avoiding the need to deficate

  some medications - iron tablets , codeine

  bowel disease
• faecal impaction 


  results from prolonged expose of stool to the absorptive process of the colon and rectum
• promoting continence 


  treat the cause

  ensure good hygiene

  promote a healthy diet - fruits, fiber

  use commodes or urinals

  manage privacy and dignity of patient

  ensure clothes are easy to remove

  adhere to toileting schedules

  bowel treatment
• treatment for diarrhea 


  If infection use antibiotics

  If disease have a low irritant diet, reduce stress, use pads
• treatment for constipation


  if dietary improve diet to include more fiber

  medications - can be changed for adapted if possible