Fecal impaction

A fecal impaction is a large lump of dry, hard stool that stays stuck in the rectum. It is most often seen in people who are constipated for a long time.

Causes

Constipation is when you are not passing stool as often or as easily as is normal for you. Your stool becomes hard and dry. This makes it difficult to pass.

Fecal impaction often occurs in people who have had constipation for a long time and have been using laxatives. The problem is even more likely when the laxatives are stopped suddenly. The muscles of the intestines forget how to move stool or feces on their own.

You are at more risk for chronic constipation and fecal impaction if:

• You not move around much and spend most of your time in a chair or bed.
• You have a disease of the brain or nervous system that damages the nerves that go to the muscles of the intestines.

Certain drugs slow the passage of stool through the bowels:

• Anticholinergics, which affect the interaction between nerves and muscles of the bowel
• Medicines used to treat diarrhea, if they are taken too often
• Narcotic pain medicine, such as methadone and codeine

Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

• Abdominal cramping and bloating
• Leakage of liquid or sudden episodes of watery diarrhea in someone who has chronic (long-term) constipation

  Diarrhea

  Diarrhea is when you pass loose or watery stool.

  

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  Chronic

  Chronic refers to something that continues over an extended period of time. A chronic condition is usually long-lasting and does not easily or quick...

  

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• Rectal bleeding
• Small, semi-formed stools
• Straining when trying to pass stools

Other possible symptoms include:

• Bladder pressure or loss of bladder control
• Lower back pain
• Rapid heartbeat or lightheadedness from straining to pass stool

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will examine your stomach area and rectum. The rectal exam will show a hard mass of stool in the rectum.

You may need to have a colonoscopy if there has been a recent change in your bowel habits. This is done to check for colon or rectal cancer.

Colonoscopy

A colonoscopy is an exam that views the inside of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, using a tool called a colonoscope. The colonoscope has a sm...

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Treatment

Treatment for the condition starts with removal of the impacted stool. After that, steps are taken to prevent future fecal impactions.

Often a warm mineral oil enema is used to soften and lubricate the stool. However, enemas alone are not enough to remove a large, hardened impaction in most cases.

The mass may have to be broken up by hand. This is called manual removal:

• A provider will need to insert one or two fingers into the rectum and slowly break up the mass into smaller pieces so that it can come out.
• This process must be done in small steps to avoid causing injury to the rectum.
• Suppositories inserted into the rectum may be given between attempts to help clear the stool.

Surgery is rarely needed to treat a fecal impaction. An overly widened colon (megacolon) or complete blockage of the bowel may require emergency removal of the impaction.

Most people who have had a fecal impaction will need a bowel retraining program. Your provider and a specially trained nurse or therapist will:

• Take a detailed history of your diet, bowel patterns, laxative use, medicines, and medical problems
• Examine you carefully.
• Recommend changes in your diet, how to use laxatives and stool softeners, special exercises, lifestyle changes, and other special techniques to retrain your bowel.
• Follow you closely to make sure the program works for you.

Outlook (Prognosis)

With treatment, the outcome is good.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

• Tear (ulceration) of the rectal tissue
• Tissue death ( necrosis ) or rectal tissue injury

  Necrosis

  Necrosis is the death of body tissue. It occurs when too little blood flows to the tissue. This can be from injury, radiation, or chemicals. Necro...

  

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When to Contact a Medical Professional

Tell your provider if you have chronic diarrhea or fecal incontinence after a long period of constipation. Also tell your provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain and bloating

  Bloating

  Abdominal bloating is a condition in which the belly (abdomen) feels full and tight. Your belly may look swollen (distended).

  

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• Blood in the stool

  Blood in the stool

  Bloody stools often are a sign of a problem in the digestive tract. Blood in the stool may come from anywhere along your digestive tract from your m...

   

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• Sudden constipation with abdominal cramps , and an inability to pass gas or stool. In this case, do not take any laxatives. Call your provider immediately.

  Abdominal cramps

  Abdominal pain is pain that you feel anywhere between your chest and groin. This is often referred to as the stomach region or belly.

  

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• Very thin, pencil-like stools