Rectal Foreign Body

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW:

A rectal foreign body is an object that got stuck in your rectum.

DISCHARGE INSTRUCTIONS:

Seek care immediately if:

• You have large amounts of blood coming out of your anus.
  
  
• You have pus leaking from your anus.
  
  
• You have increased or severe pain in your rectum or abdomen.
  
  
• You have more pain when you try to have a bowel movement.
  
  
• Your bowel movements are black or bloody.

Call your doctor if:

• You have a fever.
  
  
• You cannot have a bowel movement, or you have a change in bowel movements.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.

Medicines: You may need any of the following:

• Antibiotics help prevent or fight a bacterial infection.
  
  
• Prescription pain medicine may be given. Ask your healthcare provider how to take this medicine safely. Some prescription pain medicines contain acetaminophen. Do not take other medicines that contain acetaminophen without talking to your healthcare provider. Too much acetaminophen may cause liver damage. Prescription pain medicine may cause constipation. Ask your healthcare provider how to prevent or treat constipation.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed. Contact your healthcare provider if you think your medicine is not helping or if you have side effects. Tell your provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Keep a list of the medicines, vitamins, and herbs you take. Include the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list or the pill bottles to follow-up visits. Carry your medicine list with you in case of an emergency.

Manage your symptoms:

• Search for the object in bowel movements if it was not removed. The object may pass through your digestive system and come out in a bowel movement. Do not use laxatives, enemas, suppositories, or stool softeners unless directed. These may lead to rectal damage when inserted or by pushing a sharp object out forcefully.
  
  
• Prevent constipation. Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads to increase the amount of fiber you have each day. Drink more liquids. Fiber and liquid help prevent constipation. Do not strain to have a bowel movement. The strain may cause more damage.
  
  
• Take sitz baths as directed. A sitz bath is a portable tub that fits into the toilet basin. You can also soak in a bathtub that has 4 to 6 inches of warm water. Stay in the sitz bath or tub for 15 to 20 minutes. Ask your healthcare provider how often to do this.
  
  
• Do not insert anything into your anus or rectum unless directed. Items such as rectal thermometers and suppositories can cause damage while you are healing.

Follow up with your doctor as directed: Write down your questions so you remember to ask them during your visits.

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The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.