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The treatment of fecal impaction requires both the remedy of the impaction and treatment to prevent recurrences. Decreased motility of the colon results in dry, hard stools that in the case of fecal impaction become compacted into a large, hard mass of stool that cannot be expelled from the rectum. [citation needed]
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]
Where ODS occurs with fecal incontinence, it may represent fecal impaction combined with overflow diarrhea (overflow incontinence). [39] Self-digitation (digital help) is the use of the digits (fingers) to apply pressure in order to achieve defecation. Most people recognize the need for digitation as a symptom, and not a treatment. [20]
Symptoms like rectal bleeding, unexplained weight loss, and constipation or diarrhea can be warning signs of colon cancer Many symptoms of colon cancer can also indicate more mundane illnesses.
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.
Fecal incontinence or constipation occurs when there is a problem with normal bowel functioning. This could be for a variety of reasons. The normal defecation pathway involves contractions of the colon which helps mix the contents, absorb water and propel the contents along. This results in feces moving along the colon to the rectum. [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]
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]