Fecal Compaction
www.colon-cleanse-constipation.com
updated about 1 year ago
Fecal compaction, which is also referred to as fecal impaction, is a condition characterized by having hard and dry waste matter obstructing the colon and preventing a normal bowel movement from occurring. As a result, constipation occurs.
Symptoms
A person experiencing compaction may present the following symptoms:
- Abdominal cramping and discomfort
- Intense urgency of bowel movements
- Pain in the rectum
- Straining when passing liquid or small pieces of stool
- An inability to have a successful bowel movement
- Nausea
- Sudden watery diarrhea after experiencing chronic constipation
In order to test for fecal compaction, the doctor will first create a medical history detailing the symptoms the patient is experiencing. The doctor will also perform an examination of your rectum and your stomach. Through the rectal examination, the doctor can determine if a hard mass of dried waste is present in the rectum. The doctor may also perform a colonoscopy in order to further evaluate the colon and to eliminate the possibility of rectal cancer.
Causes
Compaction can be caused by a number of conditions including:
- Failure to consume enough fiber
- Failure to drink enough fluids
- Use of pain relieving medication, antidepressants, anti-diarrhea medication, or antacids containing aluminum
- Use of methadone typically used to treat drug addiction
- Use of medications interfering with nerve and muscle function
- Excessive use of laxatives
- Undergoing extended bed rest
- Kidney disease
- Hemorrhoids
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Conditions limiting movement, such as cerebral palsy or dementia
Treating Fecal Compaction
A number of treatment options are available for fecal compaction. One option is to have the waste manually removed by a doctor. In rare instances, this approach may require surgery to prevent the bowels from becoming blocked completely or from becoming overly stretched. If either of these conditions occurs, emergency surgery is required and a portion of the colon may need to be removed.
Natural treatment options are also available. These options include drinking plenty of water, with a minimum of eight 8-ounce glasses per day being ideal, and following a high fiber diet. Fiber can easily be added by increasing your intake of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. There are also a number of supplements available that can be sprinkled onto food to help increase overall fiber consumption.
Organic supplements are another option available for treating fecal compaction. All-natural oxygen-based supplements liquefy the waste, thus making it much easier for the colon to pass it through the body. In the process, they clean the colon walls and help prevent compaction from occurring in the future.
It is also best to avoid taking medications that can cause compaction. If a particular medication appears to be causing the problem, alternative methods (e.g. increasing dietary fiber intake, drinking more water, exercising more often, etc.) may be needed to help prevent it from occurring. Regular exercise also helps prevent constipation and will help your body eliminate waste once again if compaction occurs.
If left untreated, even mild fecal compaction can lead to problems with bladder control, particularly in children. This is because the tightly packed waste can press against the bladder and the nerves and muscles surrounding it. Compaction can also cause internal injuries, ulceration, or even irreversibly damage rectal tissue.
