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A fecal impaction or an impacted bowel is a solid, immobile bulk of feces that can develop in the rectum as a result of chronic constipation [1] (a related term is fecal loading which refers to a large volume of stool in the rectum of any consistency). [2]
It is a hardening of feces into lumps of varying size and may occur anywhere in the intestinal tract but is typically found in the colon. It is also called appendicolith when it occurs in the appendix and is sometimes concurrent with appendicitis. [1] They can also obstruct diverticula. It can form secondary to fecal impaction.
The strength of the colon wall is known to decrease with age. [1] Previous theories proposed that impacted fecal matter and certain foods would get stuck in diverticula (thereby causing trauma), which caused poor blood flow, death of the affected intestinal wall cells, and intestinal perforation. [1]
The treatment of intestinal ischemia depends on the cause and can be medical or surgical. However, if bowel has become necrotic, the only treatment is surgical removal of the dead segments of bowel. [34] In non-occlusive disease, where there is no blockage of the arteries supplying the bowel, the treatment is medical rather than surgical ...
In later stages of constipation, the abdomen may become distended, hard and diffusely tender. Severe cases ("fecal impaction" or malignant constipation) may exhibit symptoms of bowel obstruction (nausea, vomiting, tender abdomen) and encopresis, where soft stool from the small intestine bypasses the mass of impacted fecal matter in the colon.
Depending on the level of obstruction, bowel obstruction can present with abdominal pain, abdominal distension, and constipation.Bowel obstruction may be complicated by dehydration and electrolyte abnormalities due to vomiting; respiratory compromise from pressure on the diaphragm by a distended abdomen, or aspiration of vomitus; bowel ischemia or perforation from prolonged distension or ...
As GLP-1 weight-loss injectables grow in popularity, some people are wondering if they can skip the drugs — which impact satiety — to indulge in holiday meals
Due to the high risk of recurrence, a bowel resection within the next two days is generally recommended. [3] If the bowel is severely twisted or the blood supply is cut off, immediate surgery is required. [1] In a cecal volvulus, often part of the bowel needs to be surgically removed. [3]