What is a bowel routine?

Authors: SCIRE Community Team | Reviewer: Bonnie Nybo | Published: 20 March 2018 | Updated: 23 October 2024

Bowel care is an essential part of staying healthy after an SCI. For most people, a bowel routine is their main method of caring for their bowel health following SCI.

A

bowel routine

is a regular routine of bowel care techniques that is done

Illustration accompanying What is a bowel routine?

every day or every other day to empty the bowel. There is a wide range of different components that may make up a bowel routine, such as hands-on emptying techniques, diet and lifestyle changes, and the use of suppositories, mini-enemas and medications.

 

Bowel routines are usually done at the same time each day, so the body gets used to the program. The goal of bowel routines is usually to be able to complete the routine within one hour on a regular basis to empty stool from the bowel and prevent accidents.

Every person’s bowel routine is different and often involves some trial and error to find the methods that best meet the person’s unique symptoms, physical abilities, preferences, and lifestyle. Although bowel routines can be complicated and time-consuming, they are a very important part of bowel care to allow for regular emptying and to prevent complications. Poorly managed bowel problems can lead to severe constipation, fecal impaction and other serious bowel complications.