SOME SUFFERINGS COMMON TO THE FACT OF BEING NON MOBILE (Fifth of a series)

 The FEARFUL condition of IMPACTION! 

Over the past year, I have suffered some episodes of a near fecal impaction which I do not wish on anyone because it is not only unpleasantly scary but also, downright embarrassing if the help of a caregiver has to be required.

Getting impacted as I have experienced it,  means not being able to push out the feces, accumulated at the end of the intestines, which can become dry and hard making it very difficult for the colon to expel from the body using its normal contraction process.

People like me that have lost the ability to walk and cannot do exercises  —not even move around— are easy subjects of suffering constipation which in turn, can easily become 'impaction.' From my personal experience I can tell you that I can notice how the process starts developing; I can detect where in my intestine the mass is building up. Luckily, these experiences also have given me some knowledge in the matter and now I know some steps that help me achieve a somewhat decent bowel movement. And I will share them with you:

* I try to observe a regular schedule of going to the bathroom

* I am conscientious to drink the recommended quota of liquids

* I pay attention to eating enough nutrients

* I pay attention to eating enough fiber

* I pay close attention to the effects the medication I take has on my bowel function.

* Even though I am a quadriplegic I force myself to do some abdominal intestine exercises which are as follows: pull the stomach in as much as possible —count at loud from 1 to 8 as slowly as you can— let your stomach go. Repeat 3 consecutive times 3 times a day.

Everybody is different, so is up to each one of us to find out what our bodies need. Listen to your body. Some bodies do not need to go #2 every day, others do. Some bodies need different nutrients and vitamins. But if we pay attention to ourselves we will be able to decipher our needs.

Now, an important device that I recommend to every handicapped person is an electric bidet seat. It not only helps to keep the person clean but also provides an option that allows to irrigate the anal passage and stimulate the colon.