What does the color of your stool indicate about your health. How can you determine if your bowel movements are normal. When should you consult a doctor about changes in your stool. What factors influence the consistency and frequency of bowel movements. How can you improve your digestive health naturally.

The Importance of Monitoring Your Bowel Movements

Bowel movements, though not a common topic of conversation, play a crucial role in indicating our overall health. The consistency, color, and frequency of our stools can provide valuable insights into our digestive system’s functioning and potential health issues. Regular monitoring of bowel movements can help identify early signs of digestive problems or other health concerns.

What constitutes a healthy bowel movement? A normal stool is typically soft, brown, and easy to pass. The frequency of bowel movements can vary from person to person, ranging from once a day to three or four times a week. While occasional irregularities are common, persistent changes in bowel habits or stool appearance should be discussed with a healthcare professional.

Decoding Stool Colors: What They Reveal About Your Health

The color of your stool can provide important clues about your digestive health and diet. Here’s a breakdown of common stool colors and their potential meanings:

• Brown: This is the most common and healthy stool color, resulting from the normal digestion process.
• Green: Often caused by consuming green vegetables or certain medications, it can also indicate rapid intestinal transit.
• Yellow: May suggest poor fat absorption or celiac disease, especially if accompanied by a greasy appearance and foul odor.
• Red: While sometimes caused by red-colored foods, bright red stool can indicate lower gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Black: Can result from iron supplements or certain foods, but may also signify upper gastrointestinal bleeding if it appears tar-like.

Is a change in stool color always a cause for concern? Not necessarily. Temporary changes in stool color are often related to diet or medication. However, persistent changes, especially when accompanied by other symptoms, should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.

The Bristol Stool Chart: A Tool for Assessing Bowel Health

The Bristol Stool Chart, developed in 1997 by researchers in Bristol, England, is a valuable tool for assessing stool consistency and overall bowel health. This chart categorizes stools into seven types:

1. Separate hard lumps, like nuts (hard to pass)
2. Sausage-shaped but lumpy
3. Like a sausage but with cracks on the surface
4. Like a sausage or snake, smooth and soft
5. Soft blobs with clear-cut edges
6. Fluffy pieces with ragged edges, mushy
7. Watery, no solid pieces, entirely liquid

How can you use the Bristol Stool Chart to assess your digestive health? Types 3 and 4 are considered ideal, indicating a healthy digestive system. Types 1 and 2 suggest constipation, while types 5, 6, and 7 indicate varying degrees of diarrhea. Regular monitoring using this chart can help you identify patterns and potential issues in your bowel health.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Bowel-Related Concerns

While occasional changes in bowel movements are normal, certain symptoms warrant immediate medical attention. These include:

• Persistent changes in bowel habits
• Blood in the stool (bright red or black and tarry)
• Severe abdominal pain or cramping
• Unexplained weight loss
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation

Why is it crucial to address these symptoms promptly? Early detection and treatment of underlying conditions can prevent complications and improve overall health outcomes. Your healthcare provider may recommend various diagnostic tests, including blood work, stool analysis, or imaging studies, to determine the cause of your symptoms.

Understanding the Significance of Blood in Stool

Blood in the stool, while alarming, can have various causes ranging from benign to serious. Common causes include:

• Hemorrhoids or anal fissures
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Diverticular disease
• Polyps or colorectal cancer
• Peptic ulcers

How can you differentiate between serious and non-serious causes of blood in the stool? The color and consistency of the blood can provide clues. Bright red blood often indicates lower gastrointestinal bleeding, while dark, tarry stools suggest upper gastrointestinal bleeding. Regardless of the appearance, any persistent or recurrent blood in the stool should be evaluated by a healthcare professional.

Factors Influencing Bowel Movement Frequency and Consistency

Several factors can affect the frequency and consistency of your bowel movements:

• Diet: Fiber intake, hydration, and overall food choices
• Physical activity: Regular exercise promotes healthy bowel function
• Medications: Certain drugs can affect digestive processes
• Stress: High stress levels can impact gut motility
• Medical conditions: Various health issues can alter bowel habits

How can you optimize these factors for better digestive health? Maintaining a balanced diet rich in fiber, staying well-hydrated, engaging in regular physical activity, and managing stress can all contribute to healthier bowel movements. If you’re concerned about the impact of medications on your digestive health, consult with your healthcare provider before making any changes.

The Role of Colonoscopy in Digestive Health

Colonoscopy is a crucial diagnostic tool in gastroenterology, allowing doctors to visualize the entire colon and rectum. This procedure is essential for:

• Detecting and removing polyps
• Diagnosing inflammatory bowel diseases
• Identifying sources of gastrointestinal bleeding
• Screening for colorectal cancer

When should you consider getting a colonoscopy? As of 2022, the American Cancer Society recommends that individuals at average risk for colorectal cancer begin regular screening at age 45. Those with a family history of colorectal cancer or other risk factors may need to start screening earlier or undergo more frequent examinations.

Preparing for a Colonoscopy

Proper preparation is crucial for a successful colonoscopy. This typically involves:

1. Following a clear liquid diet for 24-48 hours before the procedure
2. Taking prescribed laxatives to clear the bowel
3. Avoiding certain medications as advised by your doctor
4. Arranging for transportation home after the procedure

How can you ensure the best possible outcome from your colonoscopy? Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully, complete the bowel preparation thoroughly, and communicate any concerns or questions you may have before the procedure.

Strategies for Improving Digestive Health Naturally

Maintaining good digestive health is essential for overall well-being. Here are some strategies to promote healthy bowel function:

• Increase fiber intake: Aim for 25-30 grams of fiber daily from fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and legumes
• Stay hydrated: Drink plenty of water throughout the day
• Exercise regularly: Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week
• Manage stress: Practice relaxation techniques such as meditation or yoga
• Limit processed foods: Choose whole, nutrient-dense foods instead
• Consider probiotics: These beneficial bacteria can support gut health

How can you incorporate these strategies into your daily routine? Start by making small, sustainable changes. Gradually increase your fiber intake, set reminders to drink water throughout the day, and find physical activities you enjoy. Remember, consistency is key when it comes to improving digestive health.

The Benefits of a High-Fiber Diet

A diet rich in fiber offers numerous benefits for digestive health:

• Promotes regular bowel movements
• Helps prevent constipation
• Supports a healthy gut microbiome
• May lower the risk of colorectal cancer
• Aids in maintaining a healthy weight

What are some easy ways to increase your fiber intake? Start by incorporating more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains into your meals. Choose whole grain bread and pasta over refined versions, snack on raw vegetables or fruits, and experiment with legume-based dishes. Gradually increase your fiber intake to allow your digestive system to adjust.

Understanding and Managing Common Digestive Disorders

Several digestive disorders can affect bowel movements and overall gut health. Some common conditions include:

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
• Celiac Disease
• Diverticulitis
• Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD)

How can you manage these conditions effectively? Each disorder requires a specific approach, often involving dietary modifications, stress management, and in some cases, medication. Working closely with a healthcare provider or gastroenterologist is crucial for developing an effective management plan tailored to your specific condition.

The Low FODMAP Diet for IBS Management

The Low FODMAP diet has shown promising results in managing symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. This diet involves temporarily eliminating certain fermentable carbohydrates that can trigger digestive symptoms in sensitive individuals. Foods high in FODMAPs include:

• Certain fruits (e.g., apples, pears, cherries)
• Some vegetables (e.g., onions, garlic, cauliflower)
• Dairy products containing lactose
• Wheat and rye products
• Legumes and pulses

How can you implement the Low FODMAP diet safely? It’s essential to work with a registered dietitian who can guide you through the elimination and reintroduction phases of the diet. This ensures that you maintain proper nutrition while identifying your specific trigger foods.

The Connection Between Gut Health and Overall Well-being

Emerging research highlights the crucial role of gut health in overall well-being. The gut microbiome, comprising trillions of microorganisms living in our digestive tract, influences various aspects of health, including:

• Immune function
• Mental health
• Metabolism
• Inflammation
• Nutrient absorption

How can you support a healthy gut microbiome? Consuming a diverse range of plant-based foods, incorporating fermented foods into your diet, limiting processed foods and added sugars, and managing stress can all contribute to a healthier gut microbiome. Additionally, avoiding unnecessary antibiotic use and considering probiotic supplements under medical guidance may be beneficial.

The Gut-Brain Axis: Understanding the Connection

The gut-brain axis refers to the bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the enteric nervous system of the gut. This connection explains why digestive issues can impact mental health and vice versa. Some ways the gut-brain axis manifests include:

• Stress-induced digestive symptoms
• The impact of gut bacteria on mood and behavior
• The influence of digestive disorders on mental health
• The role of gut hormones in appetite regulation

How can you leverage the gut-brain connection for better health? Practicing stress-reduction techniques, maintaining a balanced diet, and addressing both mental and digestive health concerns can help optimize this crucial connection. Some individuals find that mindfulness practices or cognitive-behavioral therapy can be beneficial in managing both digestive symptoms and stress.

The Future of Digestive Health: Emerging Trends and Research

The field of digestive health is rapidly evolving, with new research continually uncovering insights into gut function and its impact on overall health. Some exciting areas of development include:

• Personalized nutrition based on individual gut microbiome profiles
• Advanced diagnostic tools for early detection of digestive disorders
• Novel therapies targeting the gut microbiome for various health conditions
• The potential use of fecal microbiota transplantation for treating digestive disorders
• Artificial intelligence applications in gastroenterology for improved diagnosis and treatment planning

What do these advancements mean for the future of digestive health care? As our understanding of the gut microbiome and its influences on health deepens, we can expect more targeted and personalized approaches to diagnosing and treating digestive disorders. This may lead to more effective treatments with fewer side effects and improved quality of life for individuals with chronic digestive conditions.

The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Gastroenterology

Artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly being applied in various areas of gastroenterology, including:

• Automated analysis of endoscopic images for improved polyp detection
• Predictive modeling for disease progression and treatment outcomes
• Natural language processing for analyzing medical records and research literature
• AI-assisted diagnosis of complex digestive disorders

How might AI change the landscape of digestive health care? While AI tools show promise in enhancing diagnostic accuracy and efficiency, they are intended to augment rather than replace clinical judgment. The integration of AI in gastroenterology may lead to earlier detection of digestive disorders, more personalized treatment plans, and improved patient outcomes.

What Healthy Bowel Movements Look Like, and When to Call the Doctor.

It’s not a topic we want to spend a lot of time thinking about, but our bowel movements—consistency, color, and frequency—can give us key indicators about our overall health.

A bowel movement is the term for the waste matter from the bowels after food has been digested. Its size, shape, color, and odor depend on the amount of time it spends in the colon, which is part of the digestive system. Its appearance and consistency depend on your diet, medications, hydration levels, and overall lifestyle.

Regular, soft, and brown bowel movements are indicators of good digestive health. The definition of “regular” varies from once a day to three or four times a week. 

Having one irregular bowel movement isn’t necessarily cause for alarm. However, it’s important to monitor your stools and talk with your doctor about any unusual changes. MedStar Health gastroenterologists have these conversations every day, and we’re here to help you understand what your stools can tell you about your digestive health.

#Poop comes in many shapes, sizes, and colors. What is yours trying to tell you? #HealthyBowels #DigestiveHealth: https://bit.ly/3lPBdix.

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Healthy stool color.

Stool can vary in color depending on diet and digestive health. Here are some common colors and their possible causes:

• Brown: This color of stool is considered healthy due to the way the body digests food and the normal processes of the gut.
• Green: Antibiotics or iron supplements, along with green vegetables and certain drink mixes, can cause green stool. This color can also indicate food moved too quickly through your gut, which could mean a bacterial infection or gastrointestinal disorder.
• Yellow: If you have yellow stool that looks greasy and has an unusual odor, it may be a sign of poor digestion. However, it is normal that babies who are breastfeeding may have yellow stool.
• Red: Tomato soup, red candy, fruit punch, and Jell-O may cause red stool, but bright-red stool could indicate bleeding somewhere in the digestive tract.
• Black: Medications such as Pepto-Bismol or iron supplements can cause black stool. Dark foods such as blueberries can also cause dark stools. However, jet-black stool—without consuming any of the above items—may indicate bleeding in the stomach or small intestine, and you should immediately contact your doctor or visit an emergency room.

If your stool features these colors and there is no distinct explanation, talk with your doctor—especially if it happens more than once or twice and if you have other symptoms, such as abdominal cramping.

Bowel movement consistency.

While stool color is important to note, it’s only one factor in good digestive health. You should also consider the shape and consistency of your stool and how long it takes you to pass a bowel movement.

The Bristol Stool Chart is used by medical professionals for clinical assessments, but it’s also a helpful tool if you’re looking to monitor the health of your bowel movements. The chart, developed in 1997 by researchers from Bristol, England, includes the following seven types and what they indicate:

• Types 1 and 2: Lumpy and hard to pass, these stools indicate constipation, or the infrequent passing of dry, firm stools.
• Types 3 and 4: Smooth and commonly shaped like sausages, these are the ideal stool shape and consistency.
• Types 5, 6, and 7: Ranging from soft blobs to no solid pieces, these stools indicate diarrhea, or the frequent passing of loose stools.

When to call the doctor.

 It can be scary to find blood in your bowel movements but try not to panic—call your doctor to discuss your symptoms and concerns. Blood in the stool signals bleeding in the digestive tract, and it can appear as bright red or black depending on where the bleeding occurs.  

Possible causes of blood in the stool include anal fissures or hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers, diverticulitis, or polyps. Call your doctor if you see blood in your stool, particularly if you also have persistent stomach pain or discomfort. Your doctor can determine the cause of your symptoms and create an appropriate treatment plan. 

Tests to diagnose the cause of blood in stool range from blood testing to an endoscopy and/or colonoscopy, which is a procedure used to view the rectum and colon. Diagnostic colonoscopy is useful to find the cause of many types of digestive symptoms. As of 2022, the American Cancer Society recommends that patients age 45 and older with an average risk of colorectal cancer get a colonoscopy every 10 years. 

Tips for healthier bowel movements.

If you have one bowel movement that looks different, or one that is hard or loose, it usually isn’t cause for concern. 

Studying the Bristol Stool Chart can give you a good idea of what’s happening with your bowel movements:

• Lumpy and hard stools—which indicate constipation—can be lessened by drinking more water and eating high-fiber foods like vegetables, fruits, nuts, and beans.
• Smooth stools—which may be sausage-shaped—indicate healthy digestion.
• Loose stools—which indicate diarrhea—are usually symptoms from a temporary illness, like a stomach flu, and pass within several days. Simple diets for stomach upset, like the BRAT (Bananas, Rice, Applesauce, Toast) diet, can also help solidify stools and lessen diarrhea.

However, if you persistently have lumpy and hard or loose stools, talk with your doctor. It’s also time to consult your doctor if you find blood in your stool, which can indicate a serious problem.

In addition to drinking more water and eating foods with plenty of fiber, it’s also important to get consistent amounts of physical exercise. Even short periods of walking, running, or swimming can help improve your natural digestion and move stool through your system.

Here are a few other pointers:

• Cut back on nutrient-poor foods and instead focus on well-rounded meals with fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
• When nature calls, answer. Don’t hold in your stool as suppressing it can lead to hemorrhoids.
• Get plenty of rest and relaxation. Your gut will appreciate more sleep and reduced stress levels.

We all poop, and you should never hesitate to approach your doctor with questions or concerns about your digestive system. MedStar Health gastroenterologists are here to help.

Are you or a loved one experiencing GI pain or unusual bowel movements?

Our gastroenterologists are here to help.

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Fecal impaction Information | Mount Sinai

Impaction of the bowels; Constipation – impaction; Neurogenic bowel – impaction

A fecal impaction is a large lump of dry, hard stool that stays stuck in the rectum. It is most often seen in people who are constipated for a long time.

The esophagus, stomach, large and small intestine, aided by the liver, gallbladder and pancreas convert the nutritive components of food into energy and break down the non-nutritive components into waste to be excreted.

The digestive system organs in the abdominal cavity include the liver, gallbladder, stomach, small intestine and large intestine.

Causes

Constipation is when you are not passing stool as often or as easily as is normal for you. Your stool becomes hard and dry. This makes it difficult to pass.

Fecal impaction often occurs in people who have had constipation for a long time and have been using laxatives. The problem is even more likely when the laxatives are suddenly stopped. The muscles of the intestines forget how to move stool or feces on their own.

You are at more risk for chronic constipation and fecal impaction if:

• You do not move around much and spend most of your time in a chair or bed.
• You have a disease of the brain or nervous system that damages the nerves that go to the muscles of the intestines.

Certain drugs slow the passage of stool through the bowels:

• Anticholinergics, which affect the interaction between nerves and muscles of the bowel
• Medicines used to treat diarrhea, if they are taken too often
• Narcotic pain medicine, such as methadone, codeine, and oxycontin

Symptoms

Common symptoms include:

• Abdominal cramping and bloating
• Leakage of liquid or sudden episodes of watery diarrhea in someone who has chronic (long-term) constipation
• Rectal bleeding
• Small, semi-formed stools
• Straining when trying to pass stools

Other possible symptoms include:

• Bladder pressure or loss of bladder control
• Lower back pain
• Rapid heartbeat or lightheadedness from straining to pass stool

Exams and Tests

The health care provider will examine your stomach area and rectum. The rectal exam will show a hard mass of stool in the rectum.

You may need to have a colonoscopy if there has been a recent change in your bowel habits. This is done to check for colon or rectal cancer.

Treatment

Treatment for the condition starts with removal of the impacted stool. After that, steps are taken to prevent future fecal impactions.

A warm mineral oil enema is often used to soften and lubricate the stool. However, enemas alone are not enough to remove a large, hardened impaction in most cases.

The mass may have to be broken up by hand. This is called manual removal:

• A provider will need to insert one or two fingers into the rectum and slowly break up the mass into smaller pieces so that it can come out.
• This process must be done in small steps to avoid causing injury to the rectum.
• Suppositories inserted into the rectum may be given between attempts to help clear the stool.

Surgery is rarely needed to treat a fecal impaction. An overly widened colon (megacolon) or complete blockage of the bowel may require emergency removal of the impaction.

Most people who have had a fecal impaction will need a bowel retraining program. Your provider and a specially trained nurse or therapist will:

• Take a detailed history of your diet, bowel patterns, laxative use, medicines, and medical problems
• Examine you carefully.
• Recommend changes in your diet, how to use laxatives and stool softeners, special exercises, lifestyle changes, and other special techniques to retrain your bowel.
• Follow you closely to make sure the program works for you.

Outlook (Prognosis)

With treatment, the outcome is good.

Possible Complications

Complications may include:

• Tear (ulceration) of the rectal tissue
• Tissue death (necrosis) or rectal tissue injury

When to Contact a Medical Professional

Tell your provider if you have chronic diarrhea or fecal incontinence after a long period of constipation. Also tell your provider if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Abdominal pain and bloating
• Blood in the stool
• Sudden constipation with abdominal cramps, and an inability to pass gas or stool. In this case, do not take any laxatives. Call your provider right away.
• Very thin, pencil-like stools

Iturrino JC, Lembo AJ. Constipation. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease: Pathophysiology/Diagnosis/Management. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 19.

Zainea GC. Management of fecal impaction. In: Fowler GC, ed. Pfenninger and Fowler’s Procedures for Primary Care. 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 208.

Last reviewed on: 10/25/2021

Reviewed by: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A. D.A.M. Editorial team.

INFORMATION FOR PARENTS: NUTRITION AND REGIMEN FOR THE PREVENTION OF CONSTIPATION

G.N. Speransky held an online school for parents “Nutrition and regimen for the prevention of constipation.” For those who did not have time to watch and listen, we are posting the text version.

– In the large intestine, food remains are mixed, water is absorbed, feces are formed and move to the “exit” – the rectum, where the wall is stretched, the urge to defecate appears and the feces are excreted. Why know this? To distinguish the norm from the non-norm, – says Senior Nurse of the Center for Urology, Andrology and Pathologists of the Pelvic Organs, Physiotherapy Nurse Oksana Yurievna Komarova.

Regular stools are a sign of good digestion and promote health and longevity.

It takes at least 20 hours and a maximum of 3 days for the feces to completely pass through the intestines. When the stool is in the colon longer, it becomes hard, like “sheep”. Therefore, if you visit the toilet less than once every 3 days, and the feces look like the first 2 pictures (see picture) – this is constipation.

If a person goes to the toilet at night, these are signs of illness. Because contractions of the colon – peristalsis, appear in the morning, at night the intestines “rest”.

Seek medical attention, do not self-medicate, if you feel during a bowel movement that:

Why is “normal” constipation dangerous?

Stool retention is not so harmless.

Constipation is the cause of many health problems:

1. Hemorrhoids worsen, anal fissures appear, and the risk of rectal prolapse is increased – in 7 out of every 10 patients.
2. There is a dysfunction – irritable bowel syndrome.
3. There are predisposing factors for the development of colitis, allergies.
4. The necessary vitamins and minerals do not enter the body.
5. The patient becomes irritable, suffers from depression and neurosis.

Those who suffer from constipation have an increased risk of:

• colonic diverticulosis (protrusion and thinning of the intestinal wall) and its complications, up to intestinal perforation and peritonitis – in every fifth
• Intestinal polyps are found in every tenth
• cancer of the colon and rectum – in every twentieth.

Do not take it to extremes – treat constipation in time.

Prevention of constipation. What to do?

Advice #1 – change your lifestyle

If you want to get rid of constipation, you should not overeat, eat fast food and drink it with soda, sit around the clock in the office, be nervous and stay up all night. The intestine “loves” the right food, the regularity in its intake – 3-4 times a day, and a calm environment, without extreme sports.

Tip #2 – Choose your diet

On the “out” you get the consequences of what you received “in”. There are foods that make the stool softer, and the intestines are forced to work more actively. Include in the diet : vegetable oils, freshly squeezed vegetable juices, fermented milk products – fresh kefir, crumbly cereals with dried fruits, soups, fruits, raw and processed vegetables, healthy fiber. Fried, fatty, smoked meats, preservatives and other “chemistry” in products are prohibited

Tip #3 – Drink plenty of fluids

You’ve certainly heard that “you have to drink a lot.” But how much is enough? Scientists have set the norm – 30 ml per 1 kg of ideal body weight (you can find a body weight calculator on the network, and by substituting your data, calculate it).

The liquid should be warm to get into the intestines quickly, and honey can be added to the water.

Tip #4 – Physical Activity

If our children spend time at their desks, parents sit at work, and in the evenings watch TV or “hang out” on the Internet, the intestines may well arrange a “strike”. In order for the chair to be regular, physical activity for at least an hour 3 times a week is the best way out. Can’t devote so much time, there is no opportunity to visit the gym? Walk, climb stairs, use every minute to keep fit.

Tip #5

To stimulate the muscles of the intestines and the abdominal wall, massage the abdomen clockwise a few minutes before each feeding and lay the baby on the tummy. In order to stimulate defecation, mechanical irritation of the anus is carried out (light massage of the perianal area). If stool retention caused a deterioration in well-being, the child can be given a cleansing enema with boiled water at room temperature. This procedure is used only as a means of emergency care, no more than once every 36-48 hours and only to alleviate the condition of the child.

Tip #6 – don’t treat yourself, see a doctor

When yogurt, prunes on an empty stomach and warm water with honey don’t help, but it’s time to see a doctor:

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Coprolit. Causes. Symptoms.

Treatment – medical center in Lobnya “Harmony”

Coprolite – hardened feces in the intestines that do not come out naturally. Coprostasis – retention of feces in the rectum due to prolonged constipation. Doing enemas on your own or using a laxative for coprolitis can lead to injury to the rectum. The proctologist will solve the problem in one step, carefully remove the resulting coprolite. But the disease is prone to frequent relapses if the patient does not change his lifestyle and does not establish a diet and defecation.

Why coprolite is formed

Coprolit occurs when there is no regular bowel movement schedule. Feces stagnates in the folds and bends of the rectum, gradually thickens and stony. In women, pathology occurs more often than in men, due to constant hormonal changes. Other causes of coprostasis:

• dysbacteriosis;
• intestinal neurosis;
• infections and inflammations in the rectum;
• cholecystitis;
• pathological enlargement of the intestines;
• peptic ulcer;
• diabetes mellitus;
• problems of the reproductive system of women;
• hemorrhoids;
• neurological pathologies;
• disorders of the cardiovascular system.

Factors that increase the risk of coprostasis:

• bad habits – smoking, alcohol abuse;
• long periods of fasting followed by overeating;
• constant consumption of cold food and drinks;
• small amount of pure water drunk;
• sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work;
• physical and emotional overwork.

Symptoms and complications

Coprostasis is diagnosed if there is no stool for two days. Or emptying the intestines occurs poorly, irregularly, with difficulty. The disease is accompanied by flatulence, sometimes pain. With prolonged coprostasis, chronic intoxication begins. The patient is concerned about dizziness, fatigue, headaches. The skin turns pale.

Fecal plugs injure the intestinal mucosa, provoke other proctological problems – hemorrhoids, anal fissures, rectal prolapse. Liquid feces can seep around the coprolite, then they talk about paradoxical diarrhea.

Against the background of coprostasis, a life-threatening condition may occur – intestinal obstruction. The patient begins uncontrollable vomiting, there are cramping pains in the abdomen. In this case, urgent hospitalization and surgical intervention are required.

Diagnosis of fecal stone

The proctologist will take an anamnesis, palpate the abdomen and rectum. He will prescribe a series of tests: a blood and urine test, a coprogram. Sometimes hardware diagnostics is required: gastroscopy, colonoscopy, MRI, CT, ultrasonography of the gastrointestinal tract, sigmoidoscopy.

Establishing the presence of coprolite is quite easy already at the first appointment. It is more difficult to understand the causes of the problem and eliminate its root. Coprostasis often becomes chronic. To prevent relapses, it is necessary to cure comorbidities and change lifestyle.

How to remove coprolite

A proctologist will help you get rid of discomfort in one visit. The procedure is quick and rarely requires anesthesia. The doctor works carefully with a finger or auxiliary tools. Removal steps:

1. The patient undresses below the waist and lies sideways on the couch.
2. The proctologist liberally applies special lubricant to the anus.
3. The doctor puts on gloves, lubricates his finger and carefully removes parts of the stool. If necessary, he helps himself with a sterile instrument.
4. After the procedure, the proctologist will make sure that the rectal mucosa is not damaged, there is no bleeding, and the patient feels well.
5. The specialist will advise you on how to avoid a relapse. If required, he will send you to see a gastroenterologist and a nutritionist.

Prevention of coprostasis

It is important to treat associated proctological diseases. Women should visit an endocrinologist. To establish bowel movements and maintain intestinal flora, you need to follow the advice of a gastroenterologist. In some cases, doctors prescribe a laxative, cleansing enemas, therapeutic massage.

You need to rethink your lifestyle.