June 25, 2009
Dealing With Fecal Impaction
 |
It is considered normal for each and every person to suffer from bouts of constipation. It is the time that this occasional occurrence turns into a chronic condition that concern... |
It is considered normal for each and every person to suffer from bouts of constipation. It is the time that this occasional occurrence turns into a chronic condition that concern must be noted. Even as constipation may point to several root causes that require medical attention, the garden variety form of irregularity that could be solved easily and decisively by not attacking the symptom but the underlying nutritional causes is often considered to be instrumental in causing or worsening digestive system disorders with far reaching consequences for the entire gastrointestinal tract and accessory organs.
Dealing with fecal impaction requires the following steps to be taken:
1. Review your eating habits. This does not review to the food itself but instead the manner in which you are ingesting it. Although rarely considered to be part of the digestive system, actual digestion begins in the oral cavity and food that does not spend enough time there and thus receives enough enzymes through the saliva will most likely arrive in the stomach not quite ready for digestion to take place there. It is wise to sit down and eat in a manner conducive to proper digestion by thoroughly chewing the food before swallowing it.
2. Review the food choices you make. If you partake of foods high in fat, cholesterol and sugar, you do not be a medical doctor to figure out that you will have some problems down the line. At issue here – for the sake of the gastrointestinal tract – is the lack of fiber such a diet usually brings with it. Even if you cannot get enough regular fiber via your food choices, there are high fiber wafers you may use to supplement your fiber intake and it is highly recommended that you ingest some of them.
3. Believe it or not, but failure to keep hydrated has been identified as a main reason for constipation and dealing with fecal impaction requires to ensure a proper intake of fluids. This will refer, ideally, to water but other liquids containing water are acceptable as well.
4. Some dietary supplements, especially iron pills, have been associated with hardened stools and in some cases bouts of constipation and if you are taking iron supplements, you might want to do so with a glass of prune juice. In this manner you will enjoy the benefit of the iron supplement while at the same time ensuring that your lower intestines will not pay the price for it.
5. In small children, dealing with fecal impaction may sometimes also require X-rays, especially if there is a chance the child may gave swallowed a small toy or other item that might now obstruct the intestines. This is a dangerous condition and left untreated may lead to a ruptured intestine and the possibility of sepsis. Although many a physician may suggest a wait and see attitude in the face of a swallowed penny or dime, she or he might suggest a more thorough examination when it comes to other objects and parents will be wise to err on the side of caution and contact their pediatrician as soon as they suspect their child has swallowed something or if constipation is lasting for more than a day in spite of counter measures.
Leave a Comment