Faeces which have been retained in the
rectum for several days tend to become dried
out and hardened, and thus more difficult to
pass. Symptoms
• Difficult or infrequent
passing of motions
• In the case of old people or ill patients,
persistent failure to empty the bowel may
result in diarrhea produced by the hard
faeces blocking and irritating the rectum
Causes
• Lack of roughage and fluids
Treatment
• Take extra fluids and eat plenty of
vegetables, fruit and other roughage such as
bran. Wholemeal bread and wholemeal flour
also give increased roughage.
• Laxatives may help retain the bowels,
though these should be discontinued when
normal habits are restored.
• In the case of babies, increase the amount
of sugar in the bottles to loosen the
motions. About 5ml per bottle is used to
adjust the frequency of dirty nappies. Too
much sugar will cause diarrehoea.
