Fecal Impaction: Symptoms

What are the symptoms of fecal impaction?

Symptoms of fecal impaction are similar to those of constipation, but are complicated when the impacted stool presses on other tissues. Solid stool and other materials can back up in the colon, while liquid stools moving past the impaction can cause diarrhea or uncontrolled leakage of stool.

Common symptoms of fecal impaction

Common symptoms of fecal impaction include:

• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Abdominal swelling, distension or bloating
• Back pain
• Blood-streaked stools
• Change in bowel habits
• Diarrhea (can be explosive)
• Difficulty urinating
• Fecal incontinence (inability to control stools)
• Feeling of incomplete emptying of the rectum
• Loss of bowel control
• Small or thin, semi-formed stools

Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition

In some cases, fecal impaction can be life threatening. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including:

• Change in level of consciousness or alertness, such as passing out or unresponsiveness
• Change in mental status or sudden behavior change, such as confusion, delirium, lethargy, hallucinations or delusions
• Greatly reduced or no urine output
• Inability to pass stool or gas
• Rigidity of the abdomen
• Severe abdominal pain
• Severe vomiting
• Vomiting blood, major rectal bleeding, or bloody stool