Signs and symptoms

• You experience constipation, then diarrhea
• Cramps in your stomach
• You pass blood
• Small, irregular stools
• Incontinence – leaking watery diarrhea

Fecal impaction most often occurs in people with limited mobility, children or the elderly. Treatment for the condition will be removal of the stool. This might require a mineral oil enema to moisten the stool. Sometimes, your doctor might need to manually break up the stool and remove it from the rectum by hand. In rare cases surgery is required to remove the mass.

Once the condition is treated, changes must be made to diet and exercise so that constipation is less likely to reoccur. These changes include increasing dietary fiber, and introducing exercises to the daily routine where possible. Bulking laxatives might also be used to help prevent constipation, as well as a stool softener.

Related Articles:

1. Common Diarrhea Treatments
2. Toddler & Infant Diarrhea
3. Stool Softeners
4. Remedies For Toddler Diarrhea
5. How to Relieve Constipation