Severe constipation can sometimes progress to fecal impaction.

This occurs when a large, hard mass of stool becomes lodged in the rectum or colon and cannot be passed normally.

A person may feel as though they urgently need to have a bowel movement but cannot produce a normal amount of stool.

In some cases, watery stool can leak around the impacted stool. This can be confusing because a person may assume the diarrhea means the constipation has resolved.

It hasn't necessarily.

Other possible symptoms include:

• Abdominal discomfort

• Bloating

• Rectal pressure

• Straining

• Loss of appetite

• Nausea

• Changes in bowel habits

Fecal impaction is more common in certain populations, including older adults and people with limited mobility or chronic constipation.

Treatment may require medical intervention rather than simply eating more fiber.

What Is Toxic Megacolon?

The term toxic megacolon sounds alarming—and the condition can indeed be serious.

Toxic megacolon occurs when the colon becomes severely dilated in association with significant intestinal inflammation or systemic toxicity.

It is generally considered a medical emergency.

Importantly, toxic megacolon is not simply another name for ordinary constipation.

It is most often associated with severe inflammatory or infectious conditions affecting the colon, including inflammatory bowel disease and certain severe intestinal infections.