To soften impacted stool quickly, you would most likely need to take an oral laxative, use an anal suppository, or do water irrigation.
The mass may have to be broken up by hand. This is called manual removal: A provider will need to insert one or two fingers into the rectum and slowly break up the mass into smaller pieces so that it can come out. This process must be done in small steps to avoid causing injury to the rectum.
Manual Disimpaction
If hardened stool is palpable in the rectum, it may require manual fragmentation or disimpaction. A lubricated, gloved index finger is inserted into the rectum and the hardened stool is gently broken up using a scissoring motion.
If stool softeners aren't providing enough help, the osmotic laxative polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX or a generic version) is good next step. These products hold water in stool to soften it and increase bowel movements.
Usually people find that Movicol takes effect around one to two days after taking it. The duration of the treatment for constipation may continue for up to two weeks.
Faecal impaction: Treatment with Movicol can be for up to 3 days. If you take more Movicol than you should: You may develop excessive diarrhoea, which can lead to dehydration.
Anyone who experiences changes in bowel habits and any concerning symptoms — such as severe abdominal pain or bleeding — should seek emergency medical attention.
The most common treatment for a fecal impaction is an enema, which is special fluid that your doctor inserts into your rectum to soften your stool. An enema often makes you have bowel movements, so it's possible that you'll be able to push out the mass of stool on your own once it's been softened by the enema.
If you're constipated and vomiting, it might be a sign of fecal impaction. Fecal impaction occurs when a large, hard mass of stool gets stuck in the colon and can't be pushed out. This is an extremely dangerous situation and requires immediate medical attention.
The hardened stool obstructs the colon and additional fecal matter backs up in the colon causing considerable discomfort. Fecal impaction usually occurs in people who are often constipated and is more common in seniors. The hardened feces must be removed promptly because it can cause serious complications.
The physician will many times insert a tube to help decompress the bowel which also provides the patient with significant relief. All in all, it is imperative to learn and understand that the stool is waste matter.
You may think that cutting back on food will help “clear out” your colon. That's not the case. Do this: Eating, especially healthy whole foods that contain fiber, helps your body move stool.
Constipation occurs when bowel movements become less frequent and stools become difficult to pass. It happens most often due to changes in diet or routine, or due to inadequate intake of fiber. You should call your doctor if you have severe pain, blood in your stools, or constipation that lasts longer than three weeks.
Movicol helps you to have a comfortable bowel movement even if you have been constipated for a long time. Movicol also works in faecal impaction (as determined by your doctor).
Tell your doctor immediately and stop taking Movicol Flavour Free if you: Get a serious allergic reaction which causes difficulty in breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. If you feel weak, breathless, very thirsty with a headache, or get puffy ankles. Store the sachets below 30°C.
About macrogol Brand names: Movicol, Laxido, CosmoCol, Molaxole. Macrogol (or macrogols) is a laxative taken to treat constipation (difficulty pooing). You can also use it to help clear a build-up of hard poo in your bowel, which can happen if you've been constipated for a long time (faecal impaction).
Movicol won't make you have a bowel movement immediately; it can take one to two days of taking Movicol for it to work.
Try a combination of oatmeal and flax meal. Flax meal is ground flax seeds, which are extremely rich in fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. You can further increase the fiber factor by stirring in some raisins. Dried fruit is very high in fiber too.
“The BRAT diet ― bananas, rice, applesauce and toast ― is one we recommend for a range of digestive issues, and it can help with both constipation and diarrhea.
Sitz baths may ease constipation. Warm-water sitz baths increase blood flow to the anal tissues, which may help relieve constipation by relaxing the rectum. Promoting better bowel movements by using sitz baths can help you avoid developing tissue tears or hemorrhoids from straining to eliminate stool from the bowel.
If your constipation is severe or accompanied by diarrhea, rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, or if you can't have a bowel movement after trying all natural laxatives, it's time to see your physician. If you are unable to have a bowel movement in one week (six days), it's time to seek help from a doctor.
No Bowel Movements for More Than One Week
If you do not pass any bowel movements for over one week, Dr. Bedford added that is an additional reason to seek medical attention. After seven days, your constipation may not necessarily be an emergency, but a healthcare provider can prevent the situation from becoming one.
What's the difference between fecal impaction and constipation? Constipation is when it's difficult to poop. Constant and untreated constipation causes fecal impaction, when there's a buildup of poop that you're unable to naturally pass.