Impacted Colon

Constipation is a commonly experienced problem. Usually, it gets cured easily, sometimes, on its own, and sometimes, with the help of laxatives or home remedies. Nevertheless, in certain cases, constipation becomes a chronic condition where a person is not able to pass feces normally.

When the feces get blocked in the colon for a long time, an individual is said to have an impacted colon. In such a condition, the colon stops functioning properly and is not able to remove the waste on a regular basis.

If not treated at the correct time, it can cause serious digestive health problems and hence, it is necessary to know about this problem in detail.

Though the causes of this problem are plenty, one of the most common among them is improper eating habits. In today's times, fast foods, foods high in fats, sugars as well as refined foods have become a part of the everyday diet of people. Though these foods taste delicious, what people do not realize is that these foods are not good for their health.

The colon finds it difficult to break down these refined and fatty foods, and hence produces excess mucus and sludge, which are actually necessary for the smooth digestion process. However, the presence of excess mucus and sludge actually halts the digestion process, making it difficult for the person to move the feces out of the body.

Apart from the poor dietary habits, there are certain other factors too that can be the reason for this problem. People who are suffering from digestive disorders like Crohn's disease as well as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) may also experience this problem.

Intake of certain type of medications like anticholinergic, antihistamines, etc. can cause bowel impaction. People who take narcotic drugs as a medication to cure some disease or reduce pain may have to suffer from this problem.

• Irregular bowel movements
• Difficulty in passing stools
• Dry and hard stools
• Narrow stools
• Severe abdominal pain
• Loss of appetite
• Excessive bloating
• Extreme fatigue or tiredness
• Weight gain
• Hemorrhoids

This condition can be treated easily with the help of simple treatment measures as well as home remedies. Let us take a look at some of them.

If this problem has occurred due to improper eating habits, making a major change in one's diet can help in curing this problem. One must totally avoid processed foods, fast foods, and also those foods that contain added colors, flavors, additives, sweeteners, sugar, etc., in them. Instead, make sure that you include lots of fruits and vegetables in your daily diet. 

Also, eating foods that contain high amount of fiber is important because fiber helps in adding bulk to the stools, which makes it easier for it to pass through the colon. Along with proper diet, exercising regularly can also help in avoiding this problem.

Exercising can be difficult for people who are bed ridden and are suffering from the problem of impacted colon. But, even simple exercises like leg raises, abdominal contractions, etc., can help in curing this problem.

Colon cleanse has become quite a popular method of treatment. The advantage of this cleansing procedure is that it not only helps in getting rid of the problem, but also has other health benefits.

The different types of cleansers, which range from 3 days, 7 days, to 21 days help in flushing out the toxins from the body along with the impacted stools. However, before you try this method for treatment, it is necessary that you consult your health practitioner.

Another method of curing this problem is with the help of over-the-counter medications. Some of them include laxatives, stool softeners, as well as glycerin tablets. These medications loosen the hard stools, making it easier for them to pass out of the colon.

One very good thing about using these medications is that these help in preventing colon problems in the future too. Other than medications, you can also take an enema to find relief from bowel impaction. The enema is injected into the anus due to which the stools are softened, thus stimulating evacuation.

Surgery is considered as the last resort, if no other alternative works. It is done when the colon has been impacted for a very long time and the condition of the person is very severe, so much so that the colon becomes damaged. At times, during the surgery, a damaged rectum may also be removed.

Since this condition can hamper one's daily activities, it is important to know about the methods that will aid in preventing constipation as well as colon impaction. One should make changes in one's daily diet and include foods that are healthy and nutritious. Moreover, using colon cleansing products occasionally will also make sure that you are free from the problem of colon impaction.

Disclaimer: This story is for informative purposes only, and should not be used as a replacement for expert medical advice.