Fecal impaction

Résumé

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 (a related term is fecal loading which refers to a large volume of stool in the rectum of any consistency). Fecal impaction is a common result of neurogenic bowel dysfunction and causes immense discomfort and pain. Its treatment includes laxatives, enemas, and pulsed irrigation evacuation (PIE) as well as digital removal. It is not a condition that resolves without direct treatment. Symptoms of a fecal impaction include the following: Chronic constipation Fecal incontinence-- paradoxical overflow diarrhea (encopresis) as a result of liquid stool passing around the obstruction Abdominal pain and bloating Loss of appetite Complications may include necrosis and ulcers of the rectal tissue, which if untreated can cause death. There are many possible causes; these include a long period of physical inactivity, failure to consume adequate dietary fiber, dehydration, and deliberate retention of fecal matter. Medications such as fentanyl, buprenorphine, methadone, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, and hydromorphone as well as certain sedatives that reduce intestinal movement may cause fecal matter to become too large, hard and/or dry to expel. Specific conditions, such as irritable bowel syndrome, certain neurological disorders, paralytic ileus, gastroparesis, diabetes, enlarged prostate gland, distended colon, an ingested foreign object, inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and colitis, and autoimmune diseases such as amyloidosis, celiac disease, lupus, and scleroderma can cause a fecal impaction. Hypothyroidism can also cause chronic constipation because of sluggish, slower, or weaker colon contractions. Iron supplements or increased blood calcium levels are also potential causes. Spinal cord injury is a common cause of constipation, due to ileus.

Source officielle

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fecal_impaction

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Publications associées (2)

Electrical and mechanical activity of the intestine

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The intestine is today still an organ whose mechanisms of functions are not fully understood. The diffculty in its understanding comes from the fact that it is regulated by a complex network of signals of different natures. Granting that a multitude of exp ...

EPFL2005

Colonic epithelial expression of ErbB2 is required for postnatal maintenance of the enteric nervous system

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Concepts associés (16)

Anismus

Anismus or dyssynergic defecation is the failure of normal relaxation of pelvic floor muscles during attempted defecation. It can occur in both children and adults, and in both men and women (although it is more common in women). It can be caused by physical defects or it can occur for other reasons or unknown reasons. Anismus that has a behavioral cause could be viewed as having similarities with parcopresis, or psychogenic fecal retention. Symptoms include tenesmus (the sensation of incomplete emptying of the rectum after defecation has occurred) and constipation.

Encoprésie

L’encoprésie est une forme d'incontinence fécale. Elle peut être présente chez un enfant de plus de quatre ans ou chez l'adulte. La manifestation principale est la perte involontaire de matière fécale. Les causes et origines peuvent être physiologiques ou psychologiques.

Colectasie

vignette|Colectasie ou mégacôlon visible sur un ASP dans le cadre d'une rectocolite hémorragique. La colectasie (aussi appelée mégacôlon) est une dilatation massive du côlon gauche ou transverse, de plus de , ou du cæcum de plus de sans obstruction mécanique. Elle se recherche à l'ASP (Abdomen Sans Préparation).

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