Causes
There are many possible causes; for example, physical inactivity, not eating enough (particularly of fiber), and not drinking enough water. Medications such as narcotic pain relievers (suboxone, methadone, codeine, oxycodone, hydrocodone, tramadol, etc.) and certain sedatives that reduce intestinal movement may cause fecal matter to become too large, hard and/or dry to expel.
Manual removal of a fecal impaction is often required with obese patients in traction, after a barium enema, and in poorly hydrated older adults.
Read more about this topic: Fecal Impaction