Management of neurogenic bowel

Individuals suffering from a variety of neurological conditions share bowel-related symptoms that can have a major impact on their quality of life. Active management of bowel function is required to avoid faecal incontinence and other complications. In the absence of sound evidence as to which interventions are the most suitable and effective in any specific situation, bowel management programmes must be based on thorough assessment and developed to meet the needs of the individual. The interventions available for bowel management are discussed and the importance of education for both patients and their carers is highlighted