The Blog Squad

A fecal impaction occurs when feces collects at the bottom of the long intestine and rectum. The feces or stool will harden at this critical juncture in the bowels and cause a blockage. Initially, this will cause cramping and some discomfort in the rectum. Abdominal pain and constipation become linked when feces begins to pile up behind the fecal impaction, causing pressure to build. 

The pressure caused by the feces not being able to move past the fecal impaction will begin to mount and be felt in the abdomen. The longer the blockage remains, the greater the abdominal pain will become. Oddly enough, however, it does not appear like abdominal pain and constipation are linked to the casual observer when both are caused by a fecal impaction. In fact, it will probably seem more like a bad case of the flu than constipation.