bowel health

coprolites

Generality

In the medical field, the term "coprolites" is used to indicate small masses of hardened and calcified fecal matter, similar to small stones, which form in the intestinal lumen.

Curiosity: in paleontology, the coprolite - from the Greek kópros (dung) and líthos (stone) - is an excrement, produced by an animal that lived in the past, that has fossilized. In the picture a dinosaur coprolite.

The formation of these calcified faecal masses - although it is not considered a real pathology - could give rise, or could constitute the complication, to some intestinal pathologies widespread especially in industrialized countries.

Incidence

Coprolites can be formed equally in both male and female patients, and can occur at any age due to constipation and slowing of intestinal transit.

However, in elderly patients - where there is a greater fecal stasis, associated with reduced physical activity and an increased sedentary lifestyle - the formation of coprolites is particularly widespread.

Causes

The coprolites are formed following the stagnation in the intestinal lumen of the feces, which therefore are not expelled and on which inorganic salts are deposited which cause it to harden and calcify.

The formation of coprolites, therefore, is mainly due to the presence of disorders such as, for example, constipation and slowing of intestinal motility.

Associated pathologies

As mentioned, the formation of coprolites is not considered a real pathology, and these masses are unlikely to cause serious damage, since they are usually excreted in the faeces. However, if this does not happen and if the intestinal function is not restored, the size of the coprolites can increase to reach high dimensions, such as to cause an intestinal obstruction with the related consequences.

Moreover, depending on the area of ​​the intestine in which they form, the coprolites can give rise to or constitute the complication of some pathologies of the intestine.

More in detail, if the coprolites accumulate in the appendix, they could represent the triggering cause of the onset of appendicitis, that is the inflammation of the vermiform appendix that departs from the initial tract of the large intestine. This phenomenon is quite widespread; in fact, it is estimated that the cause of 35% of appendicitis cases lies in the accumulation of coprolites in the appendix.

When, on the other hand, coprolites accumulate at the level of one or more pathological diverticula, they can cause inflammation (and, in some cases, infection), so they can play a very important role in the onset of so-called diverticulitis (a complication of diverticulosis).

Symptoms

Generally, the formation of coprolites does not cause a typical symptomatology, which appears instead when their presence determines the onset or complication of pathologies and disorders such as intestinal obstruction, appendicitis and diverticulitis.

Although each of the intestinal diseases associated with the formation of coprolites gives rise to several clinical manifestations, some of the symptoms that can occur in such conditions are common to all the aforementioned diseases. Among these, we recall:

  • Abdominal pain in the affected area;
  • Abdominal pain on palpation;
  • Acute abdomen;
  • Intestinal atony;
  • Abdominal cramps;
  • Temperature;
  • Nausea and vomit.

Remedies for Coprolites

As stated, the formation of coprolites is the consequence of disorders such as constipation and slowing of intestinal transit. For this reason, the most indicated remedy to facilitate its elimination and, at the same time, to prevent its formation, consists precisely in favoring as much as possible the functionality of the intestine and the regularity of the evacuations.

To achieve the aforementioned objective, it is essential to follow a varied and balanced diet, characterized by a rich intake of vegetable fibers (fruits and vegetables) and by the intake of adequate quantities of liquids (at least a liter and a half of water per day), which it is necessary to associate a healthy lifestyle characterized by a good level of physical activity.

Following these simple steps is an extremely effective method to promote and regularize intestinal transit, thus preventing the formation of coprolites and the associated diseases.

To learn more, read: Diet for Constipation »