Health Dictionary
Reliable, easy-to-read patient information on common medical conditions — written in plain language, free of jargon, and grounded in current evidence. Browse the most frequent diagnoses, understand what they mean for everyday life, and learn which steps and questions help you have a focused conversation with your doctor.
Impaction
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Impaction, from the Latin impingere, is a medical term used to describe several different types of blockage.
In relation to Digestion
- See also: fecal impaction
Impaction is a pathological condition in humans when an impassable mass of stone-like faecal matter collects in the rectum. It frequently occurs as a result of dehydration, inactivity, and medications, such as narcotics or psychotropicagents, which slow the peristalsis, and increase the time that the colonic mucosa will extract moisture from the faecal bolus. [1]
Treatment
Treatment involves attempts at moving the impaction by enema and, failing that, breaking up the impaction transrectally by using a (gloved) finger, pressing the mass against the coccyx to fracture it into smaller pieces. Proceeding this, A follow-up enema is usually required in addition to proper ongoing hydration, bulk in the diet, exercise and review of all medications to discontinue all those responsible is important to prevent recurrence. [1]
Impaction is also used, in conjunction with filtration, to remove large dust particles and other foreign objects as they enter the body through the nose.
Dental Impaction
- See also: Wisdom teeth
Informal Definition
Dental impactions are often known to occur when there is not enough room in the jaw for new molar teeth to erupt properly. This can lead to a variety of dental problems, including cysts. There are several types of dental impaction [2]
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]