Another concern is the possibility of bowel impaction, also known as fecal
impaction — a condition where dry, hard feces accumulate in the colon and
cannot be passed. Sometimes watery feces may pass around the impaction,
as diarrhea, leading the person to believe s/he is not constipated. Bowel
impaction can be very painful, and may require hospitalization. In extreme
cases, surgery may be necessary.