Fecal impaction with multisystem organ involvement. Clin Pract Cases Emerg Med. Obokhare I. Fecal impaction: a cause for concern? Clin Colon Rectal Surg. Constipation in older people: A consensus statement. Int J Clin Pract. Fecal impaction. Curr Gastroenterol Rep. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth.
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Related Articles. Can Constipation Cause Headaches? What Is Paradoxical Diarrhea? The Different Forms of Ulcerative Colitis. Trouble Pooping After Surgery? Here's How to Fix It. Simple Instructions on How to Use an Enema. How to Soften Your Hard Stools. Often an underlying cause, such as a lack of dietary fiber or sufficient fluid intake, will cause the stool forming in the colon to become too dry and hard, making it difficult to pass. If the underlying cause is not mitigated, the stool can stay in the colon or rectum and become increasingly difficult to pass; it can eventually become so big and dense that it is physically impossible to pass.
A related problem is fecal loading, a condition where a large volume of stool builds up in the rectum that can add to or exacerbate the fecal impaction. The kind of chronic constipation that can lead to fecal impaction can itself have a variety of causes, but the three typical factors are insufficient water intake, insufficient dietary fiber, and decreased colon motility.
These are three factors often involved in elderly patients in nursing homes and similar facilities; the combination of age-related degradation of colon function, lower thirst and hunger, and lack of physical activity create ideal conditions for constipation and subsequently fecal impaction.
Even though fecal impaction is most often seen in the elderly, it can theoretically happen to anyone with untreated chronic constipation.
There are numerous conditions that can either lead to constipation or otherwise reduce the motility of the colon. Here are some of the other possible causes of fecal impaction, vis-a-vis chronic constipation:. Regardless of the cause of underlying constipation, fecal impaction is usually treated in the same way with one of a few common methods.
The choice of method is determined in part based on the severity of the condition, and many of them can be attempted at home with materials available at a local pharmacy:.
If you suffer from chronic constipation it is important to address the problem before it reaches this stage. If you think you might have fecal impaction, you may be able to successfully clear it on your own with over-the-counter products. Contact Savannah Gastro to make an appointment and find some relief.
How does digestion work? Impacted feces block the way for new waste to leave the body, causing it to back up. The primary cause of fecal impaction of the colon is constipation. Constipation is difficulty passing stool or the infrequent passing of stool. Constipation is painful, and people who have it often feel bloated and uncomfortably full.
You may also feel the need to go to the bathroom without being able to. This is called fecal impaction of the colon. They will perform a physical exam, which includes an examination of your abdomen to confirm the diagnosis. After this, your doctor will administer a digital rectal exam to check for fecal impaction. In this test, your doctor puts on a glove, lubricates one of their fingers, and inserts it into your rectum. If your doctor suspects impaction after performing the exams, they may order an X-ray of the abdomen.
Other possible procedures are an abdominal ultrasound or a viewing of the colon using a tiny microscope called a sigmoidoscope. A barium enema can also highlight the problem areas. A barium enema involves inserting a dye into your rectum and then taking an X-ray of the colon and rectum.
The first method of treatment for fecal impaction is usually an oral laxative. There are many over-the-counter laxatives that can help stimulate clearing of the colon. An enema is a small, fluid-filled bottle with a nozzle attached. The nozzle inserts into the rectum. Your doctor squeezes the bottle, releasing the liquid into the rectum and colon. This lubricates the colon and moistens the feces, making it easier to dislodge.
You can find enemas at your local drugstore or on Amazon. Water irrigation involves pushing a small hose up through the rectum and into the colon.
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