Neurogenic Bowel

Neurogenic bowel is the loss of normal bowel function due to a neurological condition.

Neurogenic bowel occurs when a neurological condition affects the line of communication between the colon and the brain, which leads to difficulty controlling your bowel movements. This dysfunction can lead to an increase in bowel movements, planned or otherwise, or even a lack of them.

Causes of Neurogenic Bowel

Neurogenic bowel is typically caused by neurological conditions, various medical conditions or external factors like injury. Possible causes include:

Spinal cord injury
Stroke
Nervous system diseases
Post-surgery complications
Tumors

People living with spina bifida, cerebral palsy, sacral agenesis and similar congenital defects affecting the spine and nervous system are also more likely to develop neurogenic bowel or neurogenic bladder.

Symptoms of Neurogenic Bowel

When the brain and colon don’t communicate properly, you may have problems with full bowel movements that you don’t feel coming. Some patients may experience constipation, but with stool leakage due to the sphincter’s inability to close fully.

Signs of neurogenic bowel include:

Inability to feel when your bowel is full
Upset stomach
Stool leakage
Constipation
Diarrhea
Frequent involuntary bowel movements

Diagnosing Neurogenic Bowel

Following a discussion with a gastroenterologist, you may be asked to keep track of your bowel movements with a stool diary and undergo physical examinations. Other methods for diagnosing neurogenic bowel include:

MRI or CT scans
Ultrasound imaging
Electromyography
Anorectal manometry

Treating Neurogenic Bowel

The specialists at Tampa General Hospital’s Gastroenterology Institute can help patients with neurogenic bowel develop a program to regain some control over their bowel movements. This may include:

An exercise regimen
Dietary changes
Laxative regimens
Scheduled bowel movement routines
Sphincter manipulation training
Electrical muscle stimulation

Other procedures may be necessary to help some patients have greater control over their bowel movements. These include:

Botox® injections
Surgeries, such as a colostomy or the creation of a stoma

Some patients may even benefit from having a caregiver to further assist with bowel movement regulation. No matter what kind of bowel program a patient is on, getting the best care possible is crucial for avoiding further medical conditions that could develop as a result of a neurogenic bowel’s unpredictable movements.