Fecal impaction is a severe form of constipation. It means you have a large amount of hard stool in your rectum that you can't pass. Although your impaction has been relieved, you may need to continue treatment at home. Your healthcare provider will tell you what to do. Follow the advice below to help avoid this problem in the future.
Fecal impaction can have many causes. Many of them are similar to the causes of constipation. They include:
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A diet low in fiber.
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Too many dairy products and too much processed food.
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Not drinking enough liquids.
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Lack of exercise or physical activity.
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Stress or depression.
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Changes in daily routines.
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Loss of body fluids because of vomiting or diarrhea.
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Ignoring the urge to have a bowel movement or delaying until later.
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Medicines like prescription pain medicines, especially narcotics, iron supplements, antacids, certain antidepressants, and calcium supplements.
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An underlying illness.
Home care
Take any medicines as directed. It's no longer thought that laxatives can cause damage to the intestines. But some are better choices for occasional and long-term use. Talk with your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
General care
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Prescription pain medicines can cause constipation. If your healthcare provider prescribes pain medicines, ask whether you should also take a stool softener. Certain laxatives are specially formulated to be used by people who take pain medicine on a long-term basis.
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A diet high in fiber with plenty of fluids helps to maintain regular, soft bowel movements. Good sources of dietary fiber include:
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Cereals and breads, such as whole-grain cereal with bran, oatmeal, rolled oats, and whole-grain breads.
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Fruits, both fresh and dried, including raisins, prunes, apricots, berries, and figs.
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Fresh vegetables, especially peas, broccoli, brussel sprouts, winter squash, green beans, cauliflower, lima beans, and carrots.
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Popcorn and brown rice.
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Drink plenty of water when you increase the amount of fiber you eat.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your health care provider if your symptoms don't get better in the next few days, or as advised. You may need more tests or to see a specialist.
Call 911
Call
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A stiff, rigid belly (abdomen) that's severely painful to touch, or when you move.
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Large amount of blood in the stool.
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Trouble breathing.
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Chest pain.
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Confusion.
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Fainting or loss of consciousness, or dizziness.
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A rapid heart rate.
When to get medical advice
Contact your health care provider or seek medical care right away if you have:
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A fever of 100.4°F (38°C) or higher, or as advised by your provider.
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Bowel movements that still are not normal.
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Belly or back pain that gets worse.
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Vomiting.
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Belly swelling.
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A small amount of blood in the stool, or black, tarry stool. Call 911 if there is a lot of blood in your stool.
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Weakness.
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Unexpected vaginal bleeding.
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Weight loss.
