Neurogenic Bowel
Dysfunction of the bowel resulting from damage to the nervous system, leading to impaired ability to control defecation, commonly seen in spinal cord injury and multiple sclerosis.
Full Definition
Neurogenic bowel refers to a spectrum of colonic and anorectal dysfunction caused by disruption of the neural pathways that regulate bowel motility and sphincter control. In spinal cord injury rehabilitation, it is classified as either upper motor neuron (reflex, hypertonic) bowel or lower motor neuron (areflexic, flaccid) bowel, each requiring distinct management strategies. Documentation of neurogenic bowel programs—including scheduled stimulation, suppositories, and digital stimulation—is a routine component of rehabilitation discharge summaries and nursing care plans. Editors must distinguish 'neurogenic bowel' from 'neurogenic bladder', a related but anatomically distinct condition, and must not hyphenate the term.
Usage
Usage note: Never hyphenate. Differentiate from neurogenic bladder in all clinical documents. Specify upper or lower motor neuron type when relevant.
In Context
- "A structured neurogenic bowel program, including digital rectal stimulation every other day, was established prior to discharge." — Spinal cord injury rehabilitation discharge summary
- "Neurogenic bowel should not be hyphenated and must not be conflated with neurogenic bladder in rehabilitation documentation." — Editorial style note