A study published in in Evidenced-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine suggests that acupuncture and some herbal treatments, including the fiber supplement psyillium, can help ease chronic constipation, which, when left untreated, can lead to fecal impaction.
Related: Does Medicare Cover Acupuncture? Occasionally using over-the-counter stool softeners or fiber supplements can help as well. But be aware that using laxatives too often can compound the problem, making it more difficult to pass stool.
These complications may include: 4,7. There are few studies on race and the prevalence of fecal impaction. But chronic constipation is the most common risk factor for fecal impaction, and a widely cited study of data from a survey of more than 15, people found that constipation was more frequent in Black Americans than in white Americans — Fecal impaction may also be a side effect of certain types of cancer or cancer treatments , or pain medications.
Fecal impaction may not be easy to talk about, but there are a number of good resources available with information about the condition, as well as its most common cause—constipation.
Here are a few that are packed with trustworthy details:. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Fecal Impaction. Reviewed: October 21, Medically Reviewed.
You'll probably be instructed to: Drink plenty of water. Eat sufficient amounts of fiber. Get regular exercise. Try bowel training, which involves conditioning yourself to pass stool at around the same time each day to avoid developing severe constipation again. Try Kegel exercises, which may help strengthen pelvic and rectal muscles. Fecal impaction is most common among seniors, particularly women, who are hospitalized or who live in nursing homes.
Nearly 50 percent of nursing home residents experience chronic constipation, which leads to fecal impaction, notes a study published in August in the journal PLoS One. The biggest risk factor for fecal impaction is chronic, untreated constipation. These medical center websites, among others, also offer information on fecal impaction: Harvard Health Mount Sinai.
Editorial Sources and Fact-Checking. Intestinal obstruction is a medical emergency which requires immediate medical attention. Daa also doesn't mention other 'red flag' signs features that would alert a doctor that there was a serious problem such as a blown-out distended tummy, severe pain passing a stool, bleeding from the rectum, slime mucus in the stools, or weight loss.
Such features would suggest she needs to see a doctor sooner rather than later. However, considering her tender years, her story, and the absence of worrying features, it's likely that Daa has what is called functional constipation. This means there's a problem with the way the muscles of the bowel work rather than any serious underlying disease. It's not unusual for this to start at school and often begins with children avoiding the perils of the school toilets and waiting until they are in the familiar surroundings of their own home.
Although it might take a bit of perseverance, functional constipation often responds to self-help remedies eventually. Daa may well want to give these a try if she is reluctant to see a doctor. Our forum posters have come up with several good ideas as to how Daa can approach her problem. Laxatives are certainly worth a try.
There are several different types and different dose ranges. Most are available over the counter, and a pharmacist can advise on the best options. Jimmy found that Miralax helped his daughter. This works by holding water in the stool to soften it. It is known as an osmotic laxative. Hellmum recommended a similar medicine in this group called Dulcolax , whilst Llewelyn suggested lactulose.
Vince10 found good old magnesium often available in the form of magnesium hydroxide helpful. In view of the fact that Daa needed to evacuate a large stool, an osmotic laxative would in the first instance be helpful to soften it. Llewelyn who has posted lots of really sensible advice on this page reminds us that when taking an osmotic laxative it's vital to drink lots of fluid. Any type of fluid will do but I wouldn't suggest you try whiskey or gin, which will bring its own problems.
Once the stools are softened, a stimulant laxative can be taken. This can be taken in place of the osmotic laxative or added to it. Stimulant laxatives stimulate the nerves in the large bowel, causing the muscles in the bowel to squeeze harder than normal. Llewlyn recommends senna or a senna-containing preparation. Stimulant laxatives should only be used for a short period of time, because the body can get used to them and you can come to rely on them.
However, in Daa's case, a short course is probably needed to clear the backlog that has built up. Fibre adds volume to the stools and helps them pass through the body. The best way to take fibre is naturally, by increasing the amount in your diet. Many fruits are high in fibre. Jimmy recommends pears, peaches, prunes and apricots. He suggests avoiding bananas and there is some scientific evidence to support this.
Thejudy68 recommends an apple a day to keep the doctor away. She also advises lots of vegetables. Hypothyroidism is more common in females and those over the age of 60 years. IBS is a digestive issue that causes abdominal discomfort and frequent changes in bowel movements. The symptoms may include :. There is no clear cause of IBS, but triggers can include :. Encopresis refers to children over 4 years of age being unable to control their bowel movements.
Long-term constipation usually causes encopresis. The symptoms include:. Constipation can be a common symptom in pregnancy, when it can be due to:. Certain medications and supplements can cause hard-to-pass stools, including :. People may be able to treat large, hard-to-pass stools by making adjustments to their daily routine, such as :. Learn more about natural remedies for constipation. If people do not find these changes effective, or they have severe or additional symptoms, they may need medical treatment.
Depending on the underlying cause, treatment may involve:. If dietary changes are not effective during pregnancy, a person can talk with their healthcare team about which treatment options are safe. People should see their doctor if they have symptoms of fecal impaction. Treatments may include :. It is advisable to see a doctor if at-home treatments are not effective or a person has any of the following symptoms:. People should seek immediate medical attention if they have symptoms of fecal impaction or intestinal obstruction.
People may be able to treat large, hard-to-pass stools by making dietary changes and other simple lifestyle adjustments. In some cases, hard-to-pass stools can cause serious complications if a person does not get treatment.
If a medical condition is causing uncomfortable bowel movements, treating or managing the condition may help relieve the symptoms. Large, hard-to-pass poop can be uncomfortable, but this issue may resolve with simple changes, such as increasing fiber intake, doing more physical activity, and drinking more water.
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