How long to clear faecal impaction

Constipation is common at the end of pregnancy and just after having a baby. If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, it's always better to try to safely treat constipation without taking a medicine. A doctor or midwife will first advise you to eat more fibre like potatoes, high-fibre cereals, wholemeal bread, brown rice or wholewheat pasta, fruit and vegetables and drink plenty of fluids.

You'll also be encouraged to do gentle exercise. If dietary and lifestyle changes do not work, you may be recommended a laxative such as macrogol. Tell a pharmacist or doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or if you're breastfeeding. Some medicines, such as epilepsy medicines like phenytoin , may not work as effectively if you use macrogol at the same time.

There are no known problems mixing macrogol with herbal remedies or supplements. For safety, tell a doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, vitamins or supplements.

Macrogol is known as an "osmotic" laxative. This means it draws water from the rest of the body into your bowel to make your poo slightly bigger and softer. You can take macrogol for as long as the constipation lasts, or for as long as the doctor has recommended. This will usually be for up to 2 weeks. The doctor may recommend that you take it for many months if you or your child has serious constipation or take medicines that cause constipation.

Usually for long-term treatment, the dose can be lowered to either 1 or 2 sachets a day. For faecal impaction, you'll usually only need to take macrogol for up to 3 days, but you may be given a lower dose to take for a little longer. Ideally, you should only take macrogol occasionally and for a few days at a time. Using laxatives like macrogol for longer can lead to prolonged diarrhoea.

It can also cause an electrolyte imbalance, where levels of substances like sodium, potassium and magnesium in your body get too high or too low. In some people, an electrolyte imbalance can cause serious health problems such as muscle spasms, twitching and fits seizures. However, sometimes a doctor may recommend you or your child take macrogol for a few months.

This could be because you keep getting constipation or you take medicines that make you constipated. If this happens, the doctor will decide how long and how much macrogol you need to take. Usually, it's best to only take macrogol when you have constipation. You can stop taking it for short-term constipation if you are going to the toilet as normal. There are other types of laxatives.

Some work in a different way to macrogol but are equally good at treating constipation. Some work more quickly than macrogol. Occasionally, you may need to take 2 different types of laxatives at the same time. Only take 2 laxatives together if a doctor recommends it as there's more risk of getting side effects. Macrogol does not affect any type of contraception including the combined pill or emergency contraception unless you have severe diarrhoea for more than 24 hours.

If you have severe diarrhoea your contraceptive pills may not protect you from pregnancy. Look on the pill packet to find out what to do. Read more about what to do if you're on the pill and you're being sick or have diarrhoea. There's no firm evidence to suggest that taking macrogol will reduce fertility in either men or women. It might be a good idea to stop eating pastries, puddings, sweets, cheese and cake for a while as these foods can make constipation worse.

It's often possible to improve constipation without laxatives. Before trying macrogol or to stop constipation coming back it may help to:. Page last reviewed: 28 October Next review due: 28 October Macrogol On this page About macrogol Key facts Who can and can't take macrogol How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions. About macrogol Macrogol or macrogols is a laxative taken to treat constipation difficulty pooing.

It's available on prescription and to buy from pharmacies. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today? Macrogol relieves constipation by making your poo slightly bigger and softer. This helps poo travel through your bowels more easily. Macrogol can take 1 to 2 days to work. The most common side effects are stomach pain, diarrhoea, wind and a sore bottom anus. These are usually mild and shortlived. Most macrogol sachets contain sodium chloride, potassium chloride and sodium bicarbonate known as electrolytes.

To make sure it's safe for you, tell a doctor or pharmacist if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to macrogol or any other medicine in the past have had a hole or breakage perforation in the wall of your intestine have ever had a blockage in your intestines or paralysis of the intestine for example because of intestinal surgery or severe infection have ulcerative colitis , Crohn's disease or a rare condition called toxic megacolon are being treated for heart failure or an irregular heartbeat — if you are, never take more than 2 full-strength sachets or 4 half-strength sachets in any 1-hour period.

Speak to a doctor about how much you can safely take. Important Do not give macrogol to a child under 12 years old unless a doctor has prescribed it. You can take macrogol with or without food. Constipation The amount you take depends on how bad your constipation is.

The usual dose for constipation for adults and children over 12 years old: full-strength powder sachets contains around 13g of macrogol — 1 sachet, taken 1 to 3 times a day half-strength powder sachets contains around 6g of macrogol — 1 sachet, taken 2 to 6 times a day in divided doses ready-to-drink solution — 1 sachet, taken 1 to 3 times a day liquid — 25ml diluted in ml of water 1 to 3 times a day Paediatric powder sachets will be prescribed to children under 12 years old. The usual dose of paediatric sachets for constipation for children aged: 6 to 11 years — 1 sachet, taken twice a day up to 4 times if recommended by a doctor 12 months to 5 years — 1 sachet taken up to 4 times a day if recommended by a doctor 1 to 11 months — half to 1 sachet a day Children under 12 do not need take all of the drink at one time.

Faecal impaction A doctor will tell you if you have faecal impaction and they will advise you on how much to take. The usual dose for faecal impaction for adults and children over 12 years old: full-strength powder sachets contains around 13g of macrogol — 4 sachets on first day, then increase by 2 sachets a day, maximum 12 sachets a day, taken in divided doses half-strength powder sachets contains around 6g of macrogol — 8 sachets on first day, then increase by 4 sachets a day, maximum 16 sachets a day, taken in divided doses The usual dose of paediatric sachets for faecal impaction for children aged: 6 to 11 years — 4 sachets on first day, then increase by 2 sachets a day 12 months to 5 years — 2 sachets on first day, then 4 sachets a day for 2 days, then 6 sachets a day for 2 days, then 8 sachets a day 1 to 11 months — half to 1 sachet once a day.

Important Only give macrogol to children under 12 years old if a doctor has prescribed it. How to take it How you take macrogol depends on what type you are taking. That means he has so much stool inside that he can't push it out without help. The retained stool is too wide and hard to pass on its own. This can happen to children who have had constipation for a long time.

A bowel cleanout is a medical treatment plan ordered by your doctor. It is used for emptying out the rectum and colon lower bowel.

Call or Return If Cleanout causes vomiting or bad abdominal cramps Cleanout doesn't work. About This Topic Symptoms of an Impaction Children who are blocked up feel like they need to pass stool, but it won't come out.

They cannot control their bowel movements and have stool leakage. Small pieces or smears of stool leak out many times per day. The medical term for this is encopresis. This is due to the large amount of stool putting pressure on the anus.

Poor appetite Stomach aches Child feels discouraged or even hopeless about the stool leakage Diagnosis Doctors diagnose impactions by finding a large lump in the lower belly. They also find a full rectum on rectal exam. Sometimes, an X-ray of your child's belly may also be done. Some doctors just use high dosage stool softeners by mouth. This is called an oral cleanout. Some doctors just use enemas a rectal cleanout.

The following cleanout uses a combination of these 2 approaches. Stool Softener Miralax : First, soften up the stool for 1 or 2 days with high dosage Miralax. The liquid can be any fluid your child likes. You can use juice, water, Gatorade or even soda.

There's separate information on constipation in babies and children. You may also have a stomach ache and feel bloated or sick. If you're caring for someone with dementia, constipation may be easily missed. It's important to be aware of any changes in their behaviour that might mean they are in pain or discomfort, although it's not always easy.

Read more about dementia behaviour changes. Constipation in adults has many possible causes. Sometimes there's no obvious reason. Constipation is also common during pregnancy and for 6 weeks after giving birth. Making simple changes to your diet and lifestyle can help treat constipation. You may notice a difference within a few days. Sometimes it takes a few weeks before your symptoms improve.

Keep to a regular time and place and give yourself plenty of time to use the toilet. To make it easier to poo, try resting your feet on a low stool while going to the toilet.