Constipation and faecal impaction

An impacted bowel presses on the urethra and/or bladder and stretches the pelvic floor. This can result in difficulties emptying the bladder and can cause retention of urine. If a catheter is in situ, the impacted bowel can also block the catheter.

The residual urine caused by the obstruction is then prone to infection.

Soiling/faecal leakage, as can occur when severe constipation leads to overflow leakage, is another cause of a urinary tract infection (UTI) due to the faecal contamination.

Clinical practice notes – proactive care:

• Discuss what ‘constipation’ and ‘faecal impaction’ is
• Discuss the causes of constipation
• Support the person to identify if they are at risk of constipation
• Support the person to plan lifestyle changes to help prevent constipation

This condition will be explored further in Week 4: Bowel function and dysfunction.