FECAL IMPACTION:

DEFINITION: A fecal impaction is when stool gets stuck
within the colon and one gets a severe form of
Constipation.  Most of the time, the colon absorbs the
water from the stool and one gets very hard stool and
it becomes difficult to move it through ones system.
Sometimes there is a mechanical obstruction causing
this situation.  It is not uncommon to have diarrhea
as the presenting complaint because the stool becomes
so hard that only a small passage way around the 
hardened stool become available, thus new stool
entering the colon from the small intestine does
not have enough time to get the fluid absorbed and
it just runs around the hardened stool to the
rectum causing diarrhea.

THERAPY: This can be a difficult process, but
enemas appear to be the mainstay of therapy.

In difficult cases, a professional may need to glove
up and manually removed the hardened stool until an
enema tube has enough room to enter.

Constipation can be avoided by eating a diet
high in fiber, fruits, and vegetables and by drinking
plenty of liquids.  Stool softeners are can be used.

Pain pills commonly cause constipation.

IF PROBLEMS: You should call the doctor or return for
re-evaluation if you pass blood in the stool, or if you
develop fever or increasing abdominal pain.