What About Bowel Management?

Bowel Management

This is an important, highly structured routine that helps individuals with spinal cord injuries or quadriplegia maintain digestive health, protect tissue integrity, and prevent sudden, embarrassing accidents. Because a cervical spine injury breaks the nerve signals between the brain and the digestive tract, your body can no longer feel the urge to pass a bowel movement or control the anal muscles. Consistency is heavily anchored by eating balanced, low-fat meals daily and drinking water to prevent severe constipation. like oats, fresh fruits, and vegetables must be introduced gradually alongside adequate hydration to add healthy bulk to the stool.

Everyone is unique. Determine what is the best for you. REMEMBER! Any untimely excretion (stomach/bladder) can lead to embarrassment, but it is not your fault. You have no control. You do however, have control over possible solutions – get help as quickly as possible. Keep Imodium at hand for controlling a serious problem.

Diet:

  • \Eat three balanced meals daily
  • \Minimize greasy food
  • \Eat food rich in fibre
  • \Avoid sweets, or eat sweets made from natural foods e.g. honey, nuts, seeds, etc.
  • \Avoid too much salt
  • \Lower your alcohol intake
  • \Maintain your weight

A balanced diet will ensure a healthy body which is less inclined to bladder infections, as well as healthy tissue/muscles which will prevent pressure sores.

Remme-los Self Help Centre is affiliated with the Quadriplegic Association of Gauteng South (QAGS) and its national body the Quad Para Association of South Africa (QASA). It is situated in Primrose, Germiston within the Ekurhuleni Region.

Quad para
Quapara Association Gauteng South Africa Logo

What is Cerebral-Palsy?

Cerebral-Palsy

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a permanent neurological condition caused by damage to the developing brain before, during, or shortly after birth, which fundamentally alters a child’s ability to control their muscles and body movements. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the term “cerebral” indicates the brain, while “palsy” refers to physical weakness or difficulties using the muscles. Affecting roughly 1 in every 300 children, CP typically presents in the first few years of life, with infants frequently missing key developmental milestones like rolling over, sitting, crawling, smiling, or walking. The condition exists on a spectrum ranging from mild cases (where a child may appear clumsy) to moderate forms requiring leg braces or canes, up to severe presentations that impact all physical abilities and require a wheelchair.

Remme-los Self Help Centre is affiliated with the Quadriplegic Association of Gauteng South (QAGS) and its national body the Quad Para Association of South Africa (QASA). It is situated in Primrose, Germiston within the Ekurhuleni Region.

Quadpara Association of South Africa Logo
Quapara Association Gauteng South Africa Logo

What is a Paraplegic (Paraplegia)?

Paraplegia

Paraplegia is the loss of movement and sensation in the lower half of the body—including both legs and parts of the torso—typically caused by a spinal cord injury below the neck. According to the Southern African Spinal Cord Association (SASCA), this specific type of paralysis results from trauma located within the thoracic (chest) or lumbar (lower back) vertebrae. Because the “telephone conversation” connection is broken in these mid-to-lower sections, messages from the brain can’t reach the stomach, back, chest, or leg muscles, leaving the individual unable to stand or walk. This injury often leads to spastic paralysis, causing the lower muscles to cramp or twitch involuntarily, and many individuals struggle with trunk stability, making it difficult to sit upright without support

Remme-los Self Help Centre is affiliated with the Quadriplegic Association of Gauteng South (QAGS) and its national body the Quad Para Association of South Africa (QASA). It is situated in Primrose, Germiston within the Ekurhuleni Region.

Quad para
Quapara Association Gauteng South Africa Logo

Spinal Chord Injury

Spinal Chord Injury

What is Spinal Cord Injury (SCI)?

According to Mediclinic Southern Africa, this life-altering damage can happen directly to the cord or to the 24 ring-shaped bones (vertebrae) that house and protect it. The extent of paralysis and sensory loss depends entirely on where the trauma falls along the spinal column. Upper injuries affecting the seven cervical (neck) vertebrae (C1–C7) impact all four limbs and breathing, while lower injuries in the 12 thoracic (chest) vertebrae (T1–T12) or five lumbar (lower back) vertebrae (L1–L5) normally leave arm movement intact but impair the legs, bowel, and bladder. Fast medical intervention and specialized therapy are important for managing these symptoms, preventing secondary complications, and helping patients regain independence. 

 

Remme-los Self Help Centre is affiliated with the Quadriplegic Association of Gauteng South (QAGS) and its national body the Quad Para Association of South Africa (QASA). It is situated in Primrose, Germiston within the Ekurhuleni Region.

    Quad para
    Quapara Association Gauteng South Africa Logo