User:Mr. Ibrahem/Stercoral colitis

Stercoral colitis is when severe constipation results in inflammation of the colon. Symptoms vary from none to, abdominal distension, nausea, and abdominal pain. Complications can include ischemic colitis, resulting in crampy pain or colonic perforation resulting in severe pain of sudden onset.

Risk factors include long-term constipation, dementia, long-term opioid use, mental health problems, and being unable to walk. The underlying mechanism involves increased pressure in the colon which may include a fecaloma (dehydrated stool). Diagnosis may be supported by CT scan.

Management may involve the use of laxatives or digital disimpaction, which may require admission to hospital. If this does not work, or perforation is present, surgery is required. Stercoral colitis is rare. Less than 150 cases resulting in perforation have been described as of 2019. Most of those who are affected are old. It was first described in 1894.