Individuals can vomit material that resembles feces, a condition medically termed feculent vomiting or fecal vomiting. This occurrence signifies a serious underlying medical issue within the digestive system. This type of vomiting often indicates an intestinal blockage and requires immediate medical attention.
What is Feculent Vomiting?
Feculent vomiting describes the expulsion of vomitus originating from the lower digestive tract, specifically the ileum or colon, rather than formed fecal matter. This symptom arises when the normal flow of intestinal contents is disrupted, causing them to move backward through the digestive system. The vomit’s composition includes digested food, fluids, gastric acids, and gas that have accumulated behind an obstruction.
The term “fecal vomiting” is a clinical description. It does not mean a person is literally throwing up solid waste. Instead, the material has a strong, foul, fecal-like smell and often appears brownish, dark, or greenish-brown due to the presence of bacteria and partially digested matter from the lower bowel.
Underlying Causes
Feculent vomiting is most commonly caused by an intestinal obstruction, which can be either mechanical or paralytic. A mechanical obstruction involves a physical blockage preventing the normal passage of contents through the intestines. Common causes include scar tissue or adhesions that form after abdominal or pelvic surgery, hernias where a part of the intestine bulges into another body area, or tumors and growths within the colon or small bowel.
Other mechanical causes can involve impacted feces, a large, hard mass of stool stuck in the colon or rectum, intussusception (where one segment of the intestine telescopes into another, more common in children), or volvulus (twisting of the intestine). When a mechanical obstruction occurs, the contents cannot move forward, leading to a backup that eventually results in feculent vomiting.
In contrast, a paralytic obstruction, also known as adynamic ileus, occurs when the muscles or nerves controlling intestinal contractions are impaired, disrupting the normal movement of contents without a physical blockage. This can be caused by infections, abdominal or pelvic surgery, certain medications like opioids and antidepressants, or neurological disorders such as Parkinson’s disease.
Recognizing the Signs
The vomit associated with feculent vomiting has characteristic features that distinguish it from regular emesis. It often appears dark, ranging from brown to greenish-brown or even black, and carries a very strong, foul odor resembling fecal matter.
Individuals experiencing feculent vomiting commonly present with other severe gastrointestinal symptoms that accompany the underlying obstruction. These include intense abdominal pain and cramping, often described as severe or intermittent, noticeable abdominal bloating or distension, reduced appetite, nausea that precedes the vomiting, and an inability to pass gas or stool.
When to Seek Immediate Medical Attention
Feculent vomiting is a serious medical emergency requiring immediate professional evaluation. If you or someone experiences these symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately, such as calling 911 or going to the nearest emergency room. Prompt action is necessary to address the underlying cause and prevent potentially life-threatening complications.
Untreated intestinal obstructions can lead to severe issues, including dehydration, electrolyte imbalances, and tissue death in the affected part of the intestine if the blood supply is compromised. There is also a risk of bowel perforation, where a tear in the intestinal wall allows harmful contents and bacteria to leak into the abdominal cavity, potentially causing a severe infection like sepsis.