Question 1

can hysterectomy cause issues w constipation for 5 mo's post op? also experienced fecal impaction twice. my obgyn surgeon found no signs of prolapse.

Accepted Answer

Probably not but ...: You might have gotten some adhesions post surgery. See a good GI surgeon for consult or a good gastroenterologist.

Question 2

what is a fecal impaction?

Accepted Answer

Severe constipation: When the stool dries to a concrete consistency in the left colon and one is unable to normally pass it without purgatives or enemas..
In some circumstances surgery is necessary

Question 3

how can you tell if  fecal impaction?

Accepted Answer

Can't defecate: Stool becomes hard and dry; it's difficult for the colon to move it along, and difficult (and painful) for the hard stool to pass through the anal canal. Lack of water in diet can contribute; chronic use of opiate pain medscan too. Rarely people can have motility disorders of the intestines that contribute to fecal impaction. In extreme cases hard stool can wear through the intestinal wall.

Question 4

how is a fecal impaction best treated?

Accepted Answer

Depends: If severe will require manual disimpaction. If less severe enemas may provide relief.

Question 5

what are the symptoms of fecal impaction?

Accepted Answer

feeling: Of fullness in your rectum that you can't get out, recent absence of a normal bm, sometimes leakage of liquid from anus or only watery stools as that is all that gets around the impaction. Need to be evaluated to determine the reason for your impaction.

Question 6

how long can you live with a fecal impaction?

Accepted Answer

Fecal impaction: This is not usually a life-threatening condition. Unless there was bowel  rupture.

Question 7

fecal impaction too high to reach, what to do?

Accepted Answer

Consider: medical assistance if you are attempting to manually disimpact feces.

Question 8

what are common complications of fecal impaction?

Accepted Answer

Rare: Rarely in the debilitated or elderly they can cause a rectal ulcer of even a bowel obstruction leading to a colonic perforation...In young people they typically cause overflow fecal incontinence leading to soiling.

Question 9

traditional chinese medicine for fecal impaction?

Accepted Answer

Not sure: Many of our medicines are derived from plants in our environment. If traditional chinese medicine means using some herbs with mild laxative effect (we still have these in our natural food stores!), more water intake, and perhaps a gentle enema, that seems reasonable. However, i can't see how acupuncture would aid. If this doesn't improve quickly, see your doctor: there may be a more serious cause.

Question 10

does fecal impaction usually cause many symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Obstruction: Fecal impaction usually causes obstruction in the large intestine.  The disease often occurs in old and/or debilitated persons and they may not complain of any symptoms.  Despite obstruction of the intestine, sometimes there is spurious diarrhea due to partial obstruction.  Fecal impaction is sign of poor care.

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Doctor answers about:

Fecal impaction signs

A member asked:

Can hysterectomy cause issues w constipation for 5 mo's post op? also experienced fecal impaction twice. my obgyn surgeon found no signs of prolapse.

A member asked:

What is a fecal impaction?

A member asked:

How can you tell if fecal impaction?

A member asked:

How is a fecal impaction best treated?

A member asked:

What are the symptoms of fecal impaction?

A member asked:

How long can you live with a fecal impaction?

A member asked:

Fecal impaction too high to reach, what to do?

A member asked:

What are common complications of fecal impaction?

A member asked:

Traditional chinese medicine for fecal impaction?

A member asked:

Does fecal impaction usually cause many symptoms?

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