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Stroke and transient ischaemic attack - Management
Bladder and bowel problems
- Bowel and bladder impairment:
- Disturbance of control of excretion is common in the acute phase of a stroke and remains a problem for a significant minority of people.
- Incontinence:
- Incontinence is demeaning for the person, is a major stress factor for carers, and greatly increases the risk of skin pressure ulceration.
- People with urinary or faecal incontinence should only be discharged home after the person and their carer have been trained and arrangements for continuing supply of continence aids and services have been put in place.
- For problems that need specialist treatment and support in the community, consider referral to a continence adviser.
- Constipation:
- People with troublesome constipation should:
- Have a review of their drugs to minimize use of constipating drugs.
- Be given advice on diet, fluids, and physical activity.
- Be offered oral laxatives.
- Be offered rectal laxatives only if severe problems remain.
- For more information, see the CKS topic on Constipation.
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