The first line of treatment is sometimes manual disimpaction, or breaking up the stool with a finger. Your doctor will stick a gloved, lubricated finger in the rectum and try to dislodge any stool that’s stuck. You may feel a little bit of pressure or discomfort, but the procedure is generally well-tolerated (2).
Full Answer
What causes constipation and impaction of the colon?
Causes of constipation and impaction. The primary cause of fecal impaction of the colon is constipation. Constipation is difficulty passing stool or the infrequent passing of stool.
What are the long-term effects of constipation?
Occasionally, long-term constipation develops into fecal impaction, which is a blocked colon from a mass of stool that can't be moved by colon contractions. Fecal impaction can cause pain and vomiting, and a person with fecal impaction may require emergency treatment or hospitalization.
What is a fecal impaction?
With fecal impaction (also called impacted stool, impacted bowel, and impacted colon), a mass of stool gets stuck in the bowel. It’s a bit different and more serious than constipation. Constipation refers to fewer bowel movements than normal, or difficulty passing stool.
What is the first line of treatment for fecal impaction?
Medical treatment for fecal impaction depends on the location and the severity of the blockage. The first line of treatment is sometimes manual disimpaction, or breaking up the stool with a finger. Your doctor will stick a gloved, lubricated finger in the rectum and try to dislodge any stool that’s stuck.
What is the treatment for faecal impaction?
The most common treatment for a fecal impaction is an enema, which is special fluid that your doctor inserts into your rectum to soften your stool. An enema often makes you have bowel movements, so it's possible that you'll be able to push out the mass of stool on your own once it's been softened by the enema.
What is the first line of treatment for constipation?
Bulk-forming laxatives are the first-line treatment for most patients with constipation. Bulk-forming laxatives are gentle, safe, and effective. They increase the size and water content of the stools and the extra bulk stimulates a bowel movement.
What is the management or treatment of constipation?
Your doctor may recommend the following changes to relieve your constipation: Increase your fiber intake. Adding fiber to your diet increases the weight of your stool and speeds its passage through your intestines. Slowly begin to eat more fresh fruits and vegetables each day.
What type of enema is best for impaction?
Treatment for the condition starts with removal of the impacted stool. After that, steps are taken to prevent future fecal impactions. A warm mineral oil enema is often used to soften and lubricate the stool.
Which class of laxatives is usually considered the first-line approach to alleviating constipation?
Osmotic or stimulant laxatives are considered first-line. Prokinetics and secretagogues are the next steps when osmotic or stimulants are unable to control constipation.
Which laxative is best for impacted stool?
If stool softeners aren't providing enough help, the osmotic laxative polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX or a generic version) is good next step. These products hold water in stool to soften it and increase bowel movements.
When are osmotic laxatives used?
Osmotic laxatives are mainly used for:Constipation.Hepatic encephalopathy (the loss of brain function when a damaged liver does not remove toxins from the blood.)Bowel preparation before a surgery.
How do hospitals treat constipation?
If the patient is not, first-line treatment can be 17 g of an osmotic-type laxative polyethylene glycol (PEG), frequently MiraLax, and 10 mg of the stimulant laxative oral bisacodyl (or 17.2 mg oral senna).
Which category of medication is used to treat the constipation Mcq?
B-Medications used in constipations: Drugs that hasten the transit of food through the gastrointestinal tract are called laxatives or purgatives.
What is faecal impaction NHS?
Faecal impaction occurs when stools become hard and dry and collect in your rectum. This obstructs the rectum, making it more difficult for stools to pass along. Sometimes as a result of impaction, overflow diarrhoea may occur (where loose stools leak around the obstruction). You may have difficulty controlling this.
Will laxatives help impacted stool?
Treatment options 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. Sometimes, a medicated suppository, which is medication that's placed into the rectum, may help.
When is a barium enema used?
A barium enema may be performed to diagnose structural or functional abnormalities of the large intestine, including the rectum. These abnormalities may include, but are not limited to: Ulcerative colitis. Ulcerations and inflammation of the large intestine.
How to prevent fecal impaction?
This includes being aware of your medications can cause constipation, and talking with your doctor if you begin to notice constipation symptoms. Increasing fiber intake and drinking plenty of water may help prevent FI recurrences.
Why does fecal impaction happen?
Causes of fecal impaction. Fecal impaction is often caused by untreated chronic constipation. As you get constipated, stool may start to collect in the colon. Because the colon takes water and salts out of stool, this stool collection may harden. This can disrupt the normal movements of the colon that push stool through, ...
Why does stool press on the intestinal wall?
Stool pressing on the intestinal wall also causes inflammation that may cause liquid secretion by intestinal wall tissue.
What is the next step in stool evacuation?
The next step may be to evacuate the stool with a combination of enemas and oral laxatives. An enema is an injection of fluid into the rectum. Rectal enemas are usually given first. That is followed by an oral laxative (usually polyethylene glycol). How long this takes depends on the size of the stool mass.
What to do if you have impacted stool?
Follow up. When the impacted stool is completely cleared out, your doctor may start you on a laxative regimen to prevent constipation and another impaction. They may also suggest further testing or procedures to look for underlying conditions.
How do you know if you have a hard stool mass?
You may have abdominal pain and your abdomen may be swollen. You may be able to feel a hard mass (the hardened stool) in your lower abdomen if you press it with your hand.
What causes a child to pass a stool?
Abnormalities of the anus. Hirschsprung’s disease —a congenital neuromuscular disease that affects the colon and causes problems passing stool. Spinal cord injuries. Certain medications. Children with fecal impaction are usually treated with oral laxatives, enemas, or suppositories.
What to do if you have constipation and bloating?
If you have constipation together with rectal bleeding, abdominal pain or abdominal distention (bloating), contact your doctor immediately. It is best in this case for your doctor to evaluate you, including a physical exam and digital rectal examination.
How common is constipation?
Constipation is a very common problem that affects at least 80% of people at some time during their lives. In the United States, treatment for constipation accounts for more than 2.5 million visits to doctors' offices each year, with at least $800 million spent annually for laxatives. Although adults of all ages can suffer from constipation, ...
What is the best way to loosen stool?
Salt-based or carbohydrate-based ("osmotic") laxatives use natural salts, magnesium salts or undigested sugars to help loosen stool by drawing water through the bowel wall into the bowel. Examples are milk of magnesia, lactulose, and polyethylene glycol ( Miralax) Stimulant laxatives, such as laxatives that contain senna, cascara or bisacodyl, ...
How does traveling affect constipation?
Travel and scheduling factors — Travel can promote constipation by changing your diet, interfering with the normal timing of your meals, and limiting your access to restrooms. Laxative overuse — Long-term, regular use of laxatives can teach your bowel to rely on these medicines for help with bowel movements.
What are stimulant laxatives?
Stimulant laxatives, such as laxatives that contain senna, cascara or bisacodyl, are less gentle. Stimulant laxatives cause the colon muscles to contract more frequently or more aggressively. Laxatives are available in forms that can be swallowed or inserted into the rectum as a suppository.
How often do you have bowel movements?
Although the normal frequency of bowel movements varies from person to person, about 95% of healthy adults have a pattern that ranges from three times a day to three times a week. In constipation, bowel movements either occur less often than expected or the stool is hard, dry and difficult to pass.
How to avoid gas and bloating?
To avoid bloating and gas, add these foods gradually over a period of several days. Drink adequate amounts of fluid — For most healthy adults, this is the equivalent of six to eight glasses of water daily.
How to avoid constipation?
Try these tips: Drink plenty of water every day to prevent dehydration. Drink other fluids, such as prune juice, coffee, and tea, that act as natural laxatives.
What is the best treatment for fecal impaction?
Laxatives. 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. Sometimes, a medicated suppository, which is medication that’s placed into the rectum, may help.
Why does my colon feel bloated?
The primary cause of fecal impaction of the colon is constipation. Constipation is difficulty passing stool or the infrequent passing of stool. It’s often the result of: Constipation is painful, and people who have it often feel bloated and uncomfortably full.
What to do if you think you have fecal impaction?
They will perform a physical exam, which includes an examination of your abdomen to confirm the diagnosis.
What does it mean when you feel bloated and full?
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. When a stool doesn’t pass through the intestinal system, it can become dry and hard and lodge in the colon. This is called fecal impaction of the colon.