FECAL IMPACTION: When You Can’t POO And Don’t Know What To Do!

FECAL IMPACTION is a condition you might never have heard about before, let alone know what’s included---which is understandable with these long medical terms used by doctors, but, once its explained it’ll become clearer and have you likely say, if it was told to you in simpler terms you’d have known exactly what fecal impaction was.

Fecal impaction--- Bulk of hard stool lodged in the rectum!

Note: CONSTIPATION... is when a person struggles to pass a stool, that is if it comes at all. Constipation is known for causing discomfort for those who has the need to empty their bowels, but yet can't due to blockage (stool in the back passage).

Fecal impaction can occur because of constipation and laxatives taken for some time. An immediate stop to taking laxatives, intestine muscles are affected unsettling their routine (stools have no help with movement).

Risks of constipation and fecal impaction:

Sat for long periods of time or bedridden
Damaged nerve muscles close to the intestines
Drugs
Interaction of muscle and bowel nerves harmed through anticholinergics
Specific diarrhoea treatments can reverse the situation causing constipation. Codeine—methadone (narcotics)

Many conditions and disease have similar symptoms, so it’s best a doctor determines the problem.

Making an assumption on what you believe you’re suffering is risky, especially if you get it wrong with treatments where now a doctor can’t help.

Symptoms:

Stomach cramps
Rectum leaks
Bloated
Bursts of watery diarrhoea
Rectum bleeding
Straining
Small semi-formed stools
Loss of bladder control due to pressure
Lower back pain
Heartbeat ups a notch or possible dizziness from straining

Fecal impaction is commonly treated with an enema which includes a fluid sprayed inside the rectum to hopefully soften the stool. It should be easier to pass stools after an enema, however, if the anticipated outcome doesn’t happen the stool will be broken up manually and taken away using the hand.

PREVENTION... Below are ways considered that’ll help to do this.

Stool softeners. These make passing stools easier. The fear of using the loo and the discomfort will go if the softeners are effective making your experience in the bathroom a much more pleasant one.
Move as much as possible. Light exercise or a daily walk significantly helps.
Drink plenty of water to encourage the bowel to act regularly.
High-fibre foods influence bowel movement.