About this topic
Fecal impaction is a health issue where dry, hardened stool is stuck in the rectum and you are not passing stool as often as usual. A person may have this problem after having constipation for a long time. ‚
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What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Your doctor may teach you how to start a bowel movement using your finger to help cause a bowel movement.
- Your doctor may suggest a soft diet until the bowel is stable and ready for a regular diet.
- Eat food high in fiber like corn, rice, prunes, whole wheat bread, fruit, peas, beans, and broccoli.
- Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Soften the stool
- Cause bowel movements
Will physical activity be limited?
Exercise often. Exercise may help you have normal bowel movements. Talk to your doctor about the right amount of activity for you. ‚
What problems could happen?
- Tear or injury to rectal tissues
- Hemorrhoids
- Belly pain, upset stomach, and throwing up
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
- Eat food rich in fiber.
- Drink lots of water each day.
- Exercise often.
- Do not delay passing your stool when you have the urge
- Take stool softeners and laxatives the right way.
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Signs of infection. These include a fever of 100.4 ‚ °F (38 ‚ °C) or higher, chills.
- No bowel movement in 3 days and no passing of gas
- Very hard stools
- Bloody stool
- Very thin, pencil-like, or liquid stool
- Feeling full in the belly
- Belly cramps
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse.
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or drugs.
- I can tell you what I will do if I have no bowel movement for 3 days; stool that is very hard, bloody, or liquid; or have belly problems.
Where can I learn more?
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/constipation ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚