title: Fecal impaction: a review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fecal impaction, a review of the literature.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To review the definition, diagnosis, causes, signs and symptoms, and treatment of fecal impaction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Published literature.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  While a great deal has been published on fecal impaction, there is limited research. Clarification of when constipation changes to impaction is ambiguous. Causes of fecal impaction are multiple, and people can be affected at all ages. Signs and symptoms of and problems associated with fecal impaction are varied. Research-based treatment of fecal impaction is very limited, and nonresearch based treatment varies. There is a need for additional research to clarify terminology, diagnosis, and interventions.
authors.affiliation: Clinch River Health Services, Dungannon, VA, USA. nsc38@hotmail.com
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Creason
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Sparks
mesh_terms: D002400:Cathartics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004733:Enema; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005244:Fecal Impaction / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000451:nursing*; D006801:Humans; D009733:Nursing Diagnosis / Q000145:classification / Q000592:standards; D012307:Risk Factors
chemical_list: D002400:Cathartics