Fecal Impaction

Fecal Impaction

Article
Digestive Health
Health & Wellness
+1
Contributed byMaulik P. Purohit MD MPHSep 11, 2018

What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

  • Faecal Impaction
  • Faecal Impaction of Rectum
  • Impaction of the Bowels

What is Fecal Impaction? (Definition/Background Information)

  • Fecal Impaction is the obstruction of normal bowel movements, due to the presence of hard and dry stools in the rectum that cannot be ejected out of the bowel, the normal way
  • This condition is observed in individuals with an inactive lifestyle, irregular or poor eating habits, and chronic constipation, among other factors
  • Fecal Impaction may cause rectal bleeding, abdominal pain and bloating, apart from a severe feeling of discomfort and distress. Some cases require emergency medical treatment and hospitalization
  • The prognosis is good with appropriate and timely treatment, which can help avoid any permanent damage to the bowels

Who gets Fecal Impaction? (Age and Sex Distribution)

  • Adults are more likely to be affected by Fecal Impaction; the risk increasing beyond the age of 65 years
  • Both males and females are equally affected
  • There is no racial or ethnic bias observed

What are the Risk Factors for Fecal Impaction? (Predisposing Factors)

Risk factors for Fecal Impaction include:

  • Individuals suffering from long-term constipation, including those relying on a regular use of laxatives, to help relieve stools
  • Individuals having a low fiber diet and lacking adequate quantities of liquids/fluid intake
  • Lack of physical activities, leading an inactive and low-exercise lifestyle with very minimal physical body exertion, either at home or at the office
  • Postponing defecation or controlling your normal urge to pass stools, on a regular basis
  • Frequent  travel (may be long-distance), busy work schedules; having time or access constraint in using restrooms
  • Certain health conditions (related to the anus, rectum) that create painful bowel movements
  • Individuals, who are chronically bedridden, due to various long-standing illnesses are also at risk
  • Regularly taking iron or calcium supplements for medical conditions, the use of certain drugs prescribed for psychological illnesses and other conditions, may give rise to constipation (medication side-effect )

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Fecal Impaction? (Etiology)

Following are the causal factors of Fecal Impaction:

  • Fecal Impaction is associated with a lack of healthy lifestyle, like physical inactivity (too much deskwork, watching television), poor intake of water and other fluids, and regularly consuming food that is low in fiber content
  • Another main reason for the condition to develop is chronic constipation (due to various reasons), and/or relying heavily on laxatives to relieve the bowels. This causes a long-term suppression of the natural rectal sphincter muscle ‘contraction and relaxation’, which is required to push the solid feces out. When laxatives are discontinued suddenly, it leads to accumulation of stool in the bowels that slowly develops into an impaction
  • Certain health problems (affecting the brain) may also reduce or cease the function of the nerves, which control bowel/intestinal muscle movement
  • Certain prescriptive drugs and medications are known to prevent or decrease the normal muscle activity of the intestines and rectum. Sometimes, they even cause the stools to harden, causing a difficulty in expelling them

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Fecal Impaction?

Fecal Impaction results in a blocked flow of feces out of the bowels. These lead to signs and symptoms of Fecal Impaction associated with the excretory system and related organs. These include:

  • Swollen abdomen, abdominal pain, discomfort, feeling of pressure
  • An application of excessive force cannot expel the feces
  • Severe and long-standing constipation
  • Despite the obstructive, solid mass of stool in the rectum, completely liquid stools may drain around the mass and be ejected out of the body
  • Loss of appetite, poor eating habits
  • Vomiting and nausea, headache, tiredness
  • Rectal bleeding

How is Fecal Impaction Diagnosed?

The physician undertakes clinical studies of the region including a rectal examination. These observations together with symptomatic features are noted. Tests that are performed to establish a diagnosis of Fecal Impaction include:

  • Physical exam and medical history evaluation
  • Blood tests
  • Barium enema
  • Sigmoidoscopy: Insertion of a special instrument through the anus to view the lower intestinal region, the rectum
  • X-ray studies of the pelvic, lower abdominal region
  • A change of bowel movement can also occur due to conditions, such as cancer. Thus, a colonoscopy may be recommended to test for the same and rule out the condition

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Fecal Impaction?

Complications, due to Fecal Impaction are mostly caused due to a lack of proper treatment, or due to delayed treatment; these include:

  • Serious injury, damage, or death of the rectal tissues and muscles
  • Formation of ulcers inside the lower intestine
  • Dehydration and malaise
  • Increase in blood pressure, pulse and breathing rate
  • Complete stoppage of urine flow from the body, leading to further complications
  • Distress, confusion, and agitation

How is Fecal Impaction Treated?

Early awareness and appropriate treatment of Fecal Impaction, which is a removal of the solidified feces and addressing the causal factors to prevent its recurrence, is the key to speedy recovery from the condition. Surgical interventions are rarely required to address the condition and may be resorted to, only if other treatment methods prove insufficient.

  • The use of stool softeners (enemas, osmotic laxatives, suppositories) and lubricants are the first line of treatment. These medications liquefy the mass (or increase their water content) and break it down into smaller lumps, which can be then removed manually
  • General anesthesia with sedation may be required to manually break down the hardened stool, once it gets softened
  • Both, the use of osmotic laxatives and the administration of general anesthesia, have certain side effects and may damage the rectum

How can Fecal Impaction be Prevented?

Methods to prevent Fecal Impaction include:

  • Certain effective measures like lifestyle changes, with good food habits (high-fiber diet) and adding physical activities into one’s regular regimen help prevent Fecal Impaction recurrence
  • Always drink plenty of water and other fluids to keep the urinary and excretory system robust and functionally effective. Practice regular bowel movement, avoid the urge to often hold feces in the bowels and for long periods of time
  • Be prompt in seeking medical attention if any signs and symptoms indicating constipation, or other intestinal, abdominal discomfort or obstruction of feces, are observed
  • Generally, be aware of the side effects of the medications you take, and discuss these with your physician

What is the Prognosis of Fecal Impaction? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

Following is the prognosis for Fecal Impaction:

  • Proper management and timely treatment of Fecal Impaction can help prevent permanent damage to the bowels and intestines; the prognosis is good in such cases
  • The condition may recur, if modifications to lifestyle and diet are not brought about
  • Long-lasting damage from infections, as well as a prolonged discomfort might occur, if management of the issue is delayed or absent

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Fecal Impaction:

In some geographic regions, the use of medicinal herbs or home remedies to prevent or treat the condition is practiced. However, such practices are not proven to be effective and are not part of current and established medical norms.

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Maulik P. Purohit MD MPH picture
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Maulik P. Purohit MD MPH

Assistant Medical Director, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

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