Signs of an Impacted Colon

Normally, food and drinks are digested in a few hours, and from there they travel to the intestines and colon. After this, any waste is expelled from the body. However, it is possible for blockage, or impaction, of the colon to occur. If this happens, the path for the expulsion of digestive waste effectively is cut off, and the waste is trapped inside the body. Here is a brief look at some of the signs of an impacted colon.

Constipation and Hemorrhoids

Constipation is one of the first signs of colon impaction. An individual still may be able to pass a stool, but usually if they are able to do so, they have to strain. The straining, if prolonged over a few days or weeks, can result in the development of painful hemorrhoids. Drinking more water may help to get things moving.

Narrow Stools

When the colon is impacted, bowel movements tend to come out looking very narrow. This is because there simply is not any room for the waste to build up to a larger diameter. A narrow stool once in a while is common, but if they narrow and then stay that way consistently, impaction probably is the cause.

Abdominal Pain

Abdominal pain is another symptom of colon impaction. As the waste builds up in the colon, pressure is increased on the colon walls and all of the surrounding tissues, which results in discomfort.

Loss of Appetite

People with colon impaction commonly experience loss of appetite. The increasing waste in the colon puts pressure on the abdomen and reduces the amount of room left for new food in the stomach and intestines. The worse the impaction gets, the less the individual may want to consume.

Weight Gain

Weight gain occurs with colon impaction, because all matter---including the waste that builds up in the colon---has weight. An individual normally loses a few ounces with the expulsion of each stool, but with colon impaction, this is not possible. Those ounces keep adding up, and if the impaction isn't treated, an individual can gain several pounds. However, it is important to note that it is normal to fluctuate in weight based on how much water and food is consumed during the day, so a small weight gain is not necessarily a cause for immediate concern. It should be looked at in conjunction with other symptoms of colon impaction.

Causes and Treatment

Colon impaction can be caused by diseases, poor diet or dehydration. The impaction thus may be treated with medications for the underlying condition, the addition and subtraction of particular foods from meals, and oral or intravenous fluid intake. For immediate relief, a colon cleanse may be recommended, but this does not necessarily treat the underlying cause of the impaction.