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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]
Impaction is bowel obstruction that can occur in various kinds of animals when they consume something that they cannot digest, typically substrate. Once the substance is ingested it will block the digestive tract and, if untreated, cause death.
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.
Other symptoms may include abdominal pain, bloating, and feeling as if one has not completely passed the bowel movement. [3] Complications from constipation may include hemorrhoids, anal fissure or fecal impaction. [4] The normal frequency of bowel movements in adults is between three per day and three per week. [4]
Fecal impaction can occur as well, says Khan, “which is when stool stays in the rectum for so long that it becomes dry and cannot be expelled naturally, so it must be removed with [a health care ...
Bowel obstruction, also known as intestinal obstruction, is a mechanical or functional obstruction of the intestines which prevents the normal movement of the products of digestion. [2] [5] Either the small bowel or large bowel may be affected. [1] Signs and symptoms include abdominal pain, vomiting, bloating and not passing gas. [1]
Bowel obstruction is most often caused by intestinal adhesions, which frequently form after abdominal surgeries, or by chronic infections such as diverticulitis, hepatitis, and inflammatory bowel disease. The condition may be difficult to diagnose, as the symptoms may resemble those of other bowel disorders. [4]
Additionally, fecalomas may be seen as masses in the colon. In the case of ulceration, the part of the colon adjacent to the fecaloma will be thickened. This thickening of the bowel will help differentiate from stercoral colitis and stercoral ulcer from fecal impaction as the colon is typically not thickened in cases of fecal impaction. [2]