What’s the Difference Between Fecal Impaction and Constipation?

A constipated person has trouble passing gas. The accumulation of hardened stool that is difficult for you to pass is called faecal impaction.

A potential consequence of long-term constipation is faecal impaction, which is less frequently caused by issues with the muscles that line your intestines.

Constipation and faecal impaction are prevalent in elderly persons, particularly those residing in nursing facilities. Regular exercise and a high-fiber diet can help you avoid both illnesses.

Let's examine the distinction between constipation and faecal impaction in more detail.

Fecal impaction vs. constipation symptoms

Here are some signs of constipation and faecal impaction.

Constipation symptoms

Constipation can cause:

• less than three weekly stools
• dry, hard, and lumpy stools
• stools that hurt or are difficult to pass
• the sensation that nothing has come out of your faeces

Fecal impaction symptoms

Those who have faecal impaction frequently report:

• inability to evacuate their bowel
• swollen abdomen
• constipation
• abdominal pain
• the capacity to feel faeces through your abdomen (in certain people who are slimmer)
• sometimes overflow diarrhoea, in which fresh faeces surround the impaction

Fecal impaction vs. constipation causes and risk factors

Here are some causes and risk factors for faecal impaction and constipation.

Constipation causes and risk factors

In the US, around 16 out of 100 adults and 33 out of 100 persons over 60 suffer from constipation. In nursing facilities, around 70% of seniors over 65 suffer from severe constipation.

Numerous factors can contribute to constipation, including:

• inadequate fiber intake
• dehydration
• consuming excessive amounts of alcohol or caffeine
• low levels of exercise
• structural issues with your colon, like tumours, obstructions, or constriction
• diseases of the muscles, such as muscular dystrophy

Neurological conditions like:

• Parkinson’s disease
• stroke
• multiple sclerosis

Some medications, such as:

• anticholinergics
• narcotics
• celiac disease
• food allergy
• antidepressants
• calcium channel blockers
• inflammatory bowel disease

Other conditions, such as:

• hypothyroidism
• diabetes
• hypercalcemia

Fecal impaction causes and risk factors

Constipation is the main cause of faecal impaction. Sometimes it results from a barium enema or a medical condition that slows down the contraction of the gut muscles.

Older persons, particularly those living in nursing homes or taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), frequently experience faecal impaction.

When to contact a doctor

Think about visiting a physician or other medical specialist if you:

• don't experience any relief from your constipation after treatment
• are frequently bloated or constipated
• having blood in your faeces
• having reduced their weight naturally
• are always exhausted and have constipation
• are using painkillers that make them constipated
• experience unexpected adjustments to your bowel routine
• have abdominal pain

Diagnosing fecal impaction and constipation

A physician may identify constipation by:

• questioning you regarding your bowel habits, such as the frequency of your stools
• doing a physical examination and searching for symptoms such as bloating
• examining your medical history, both personally and familially
• enquiring about the meds you take

To verify faecal impaction, they might perform a digital rectal examination. A gloved finger dipped in lubricating gel is inserted into your rectum by the doctor during this exam to feel for the accumulation of stool.

Should your physician think that you have faecal impaction higher up in your colon, you can also be subjected to imaging tests like a computed tomography (CT) scan. On rare occasions, they may employ a sigmoidoscopy or barium enema.

How are fecal impaction and constipation treated?

Fecal impaction treatment

Here are some faecal impaction therapy alternatives.

Manual disimpaction

Disimpaction by hand is frequently necessary. In this treatment, the doctor gently removes the impacted faeces with their index finger after inserting a gloved finger into your anus with lubricant. They might also make use of a suction or anoscope.

Enema for fecal impaction

If the stool is too deep in your colon to be addressed with manual disimpaction, you may need an enema. Either at home or in a doctor's office, an enema entails injecting fluid into your rectum to loosen the affected stool.

Laxatives

You can be advised by a physician to consume polyethylene glycol, a laxative. It can take several hours to finish 1-3 litres (0.26-0.79 gallons) of this stuff.

Fecal impaction surgery

While surgery isn't usually necessary for faecal impaction, it can be if your intestine is completely blocked.

Constipation treatment

Constipation treatments include:

• eating more fiber
• getting regular physical activity
• drinking plenty of liquids
• reducing the use of specific supplements or drugs

Using over-the-counter drugs, including:

• fiber supplements
• osmotic laxatives
• lubricants
• stool softeners
• stimulant laxatives
• bulk-forming laxatives
• prescription medications
• bowel retraining therapy

How to prevent fecal impaction and constipation

Preventing constipation is the best defence against faecal impaction. Constipation can be avoided by:

• eating a lot of fruits and vegetables, which are high in fibre
• drinking plenty of water
• exercising regularly
• thinking about using probiotics in your diet
• minimizing alcohol and caffeine intake

FAQs

These are some of the most common queries regarding constipation and faecal impaction.

How do you know if you are constipated or impacted?

Faecal impaction symptoms are comparable to those of constipation. Here are a handful of the distinct symptoms that vary: abdominal or lower back pain. Experiencing abrupt watery diarrhoea or leaking poo.

Is impacted the same as constipation?

When you are unable to consistently pass stool or faeces, it can lead to severe constipation and faecal impaction, which is the accumulation of stool or faeces inside the large intestine (colon). Your incapacity to detect and react to the presence of faeces in your rectum is another way to characterise faecal impaction.

Can you still poop with faecal impaction?

If the stool hasn't completely clogged the rectum, you could still be able to pass it. Sometimes the impaction causes fluid to leak around the stool. Stool passing could hurt or feel uncomfortable.

How do you clear a fecal impaction?

An enema can be administered in most moderate cases; however, in more severe cases, manual disimpaction may need to be done in the operating room. Before the faecal impaction can be removed, the patient normally needs to be given some kind of anaesthesia to relax the anal sphincter complex.

Takeaway

When you have difficulty passing a bowel movement, you are constipated. A potential constipation issue known as faecal impaction happens when firm stool gets stuck in your intestines.

Among older adults, both disorders are prevalent. Consuming a lot of fibre, doing out frequently, and drinking plenty of water can help you avoid both diseases.

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