Symptoms Of An Impacted Bowel

If the bowel becomes blocked, it can begin to die. This is a medical emergency. An impacted bowel can be the result of constipation, using laxatives too often, medications, activity level, and bathroom habits. Having an impacted bowel means a solid mass has developed in the colon, and the patient cannot push it out.

Impacted bowel treatments need to be monitored by a doctor. Using oral laxatives for an impacted bowel may simply make things worse for patients. In severe cases, impacted bowel surgery is required. Sometimes, if individuals catch the condition early, they can have an enema to soften the stool. This can cure an impacted bowel in some cases. However, the impacted bowel must be diagnosed first.

Abdominal Bloating And Pain

One of the clearest indicators of an impacted bowel is abdominal bloating and pain. Abdominal pain can be very uncomfortable and cause significant distress. Individuals might think they just have a stomach ache. However, if the pain does not go away or gets worse, it could mean they have an impacted bowel. The abdomen can fill with gas or air, causing pressure. This triggers pain as it expands the abdomen, resulting in distension. A distended abdomen can feel hard, tight, swollen, or tender when touched. Furthermore, abdominal pain can cause nausea or vomiting. It is essential to seek medical attention when this symptom appears, particularly when it becomes persistent.

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Unexplained Weight Loss

Unexplained weight loss due to an impacted bowel is because the affected individual cannot eat properly. Pain from a distended abdomen can reduce an individual's desire to eat. Additionally, because they are not absorbing enough nutrients, it can cause weight loss. If patients cannot eat the foods needed to fuel their bodies, they cannot maintain their weight. Various conditions will result in unexplained weight loss, aside from an impacted bowel, like cancer. Therefore, patients need to make sure they get checked out for other illnesses or diseases. Diagnosing an impacted bowel is sometimes as easy as getting an x-ray. The test can show if there is a mass in the colon and the doctors can determine, based on all symptoms, the best course of action to correct the blockage.

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