Impacted Bowels - Some Signs, Symptoms, Causes, and Prevention You Need to Be Aware Of

Constipation is one of the most common complains among Americans. It hit even the babies. It is more common to someone who suppresses their bowel when there is the urge for bowels to come out. Lack of exercise can contribute to the symptom. Those who don't drink much water too suffer from constipation. Constipation, though not a disease can be really alarming. Constipation is the number one cause of bowel obstruction, hemorrhoids, IBS and all other colon diseases. Impacted bowel is cause by a large and dry stool. This large and dry stool cannot pass through the rectum and clogged there. Impacted bowel may cause diarrhea. How? When our colon is impacted by this large and very dry stool, soft watery stools on top of this will move around the colon and leak, which causes diarrhea. But the impacted bowel still remains there causing obstruction. Those who are at risk of bowel obstruction are those people who are bid ridden patients because they cannot move. Their body is in a stationery position. Even us who can walk and move freely still get constipated without exercises just imagine these people who have limited reflex to move their body. People who take anticholinergic medicine are most likely to suffer bowel obstruction. This type of medicine can interact muscle spasm. Anti diarrhea medication can also help stool to obstruct more in the colon. When you take diarrhea tablet, it suppresses bowel from coming out that's why diarrhea stops. But the bowel that is supposed to be coming out is obstructed.

Symptoms of impacted bowel

o Abdominal cramping and pain
o Passage of liquid stool in a small amount but continuous
o Blood in the rectum
o Small and round like stools similar to that of goats'

Upon examining your stomach, lumps can be felt around the lower abdomen. And when your rectum is press hard mass is also felt. Treating impacted feces would mean removing what causes the obstruction and that is removing obstructed stool. Stool softeners are given to help soften impacted stool and laxatives are also given to give liquid to softened stool.

Suppository may also be given along with bowel retraining program so that regular movement will be established once again. After the medication, dietary measure should be observed. Eating more fiber containing foods should be your main meal. Whole wheat grains, vegetables and fruits should be the main course instead of meat and burger. Exercise should also be one the main changes that you should have to. Exercise is a proven activity that aid in relieving constipation. Drinking a two glasses of water in the morning when stomach is empty also helps in bowel movement. Another thing is inserting finger into the rectum and breaking the impacted feces. When doing this you should use lubricant in between to avoid rectal laceration.

If you experience one of these symptoms call the attention of a doctor right away:

o Abdominal pain
o Abdominal bloating
o Abdominal cramps
o Inability to pass out flatulence
o You passes out stool but its too thin like pencils.

In this case do not do anything, do not take any laxatives or any medication that helps in passing out stool. Medical attention should be your priority first instead of medications. Always remember that prevention is better than cure.