A condition in which a hardened mass of faeces stays in the rectum.
Faecal impaction is a condition where a sizable mass of hard stool becomes difficult to pass from the rectum. This condition is typically linked to prolonged constipation. It is most frequently observed in very young children and in elderly individuals, particularly those who are bedridden.
The primary symptoms include a strong urge to have a bowel movement, along with pain in the rectum, anus, and center of the abdomen. In some instances, watery stools may be passed around the mass, which can be mistaken for diarrhea.
The treatment for faecal impaction involves using enemas or, in cases where enemas are ineffective, manually removing the mass of hardened stool.
A faecalith is a small, solid piece of stool that becomes impacted within a diverticulum, which is a sac in the intestinal wall. This faecalith is generally harmless unless it creates a blockage at the entrance of the sac, leading to diverticulitis, or if it blocks the appendix, resulting in appendicitis.
The FOBT, also known as a stool guaiac test, is used to detect hidden blood in the feces. It serves as a screening test because such bleeding can be an early indication of colorectal cancer. Hemoccult is one commonly used brand of FOBT.