An apparatus for treating constipation and removing fecalomas, comprising: - at least one element designed to be ingested by a patient, which is in the form of a tablet or capsule and has ferromagnetic properties; - a magnetic device adapted to interact with said ingestible element through the body of the patient; wherein said magnetic device is designed to be placed outside the patient, in correspondence of his/her/its colon, movement means being associated with said magnetic device to promote controlled movement of said ingestible element in the colon; wherein said ingestible element comprises an outer layer that encloses a core of a material comprising at least one ferromagnetic compound in powder form dispersed in a chemically inert matrix, said outer layer being biocompatible to avoid direct exposure of the core to the body of the patient; characterized in that said magnetic device comprises at least one permanent magnet associated with a respective support that is designed to be held by an operator and defines said movement means, said magnetic device being adapted to be repeatedly moved to cause the mechanical breakdown of the fecalomas due to impacts between the latter and the ingestible element and the removal of the obstruction at the colon, said outer layer being insoluble, non-absorbable and capable of withstanding the gastrointestinal environment, such that said ingestible element may reach the colon of the patient in intact form, contact, breakdown and push the fecalomas and cause the intestinal contents to move forward in the aboral direction and be expelled in an unaltered state with the feces, further comprising a support for the body of the patient and in that said magnetic device further comprises at least one pair of electromagnets placed on opposite sides relative to the patient, said movement means consisting of said support for imparting the movement relative to said ingestible element. - at least one element designed to be ingested by a patient, which is in the form of a tablet or capsule and has ferromagnetic properties; - a magnetic device adapted to interact with said ingestible element through the body of the patient; wherein said magnetic device is designed to be placed outside the patient, in correspondence of his/her/its colon, movement means being associated with said magnetic device to promote controlled movement of said ingestible element in the colon; wherein said ingestible element comprises an outer layer that encloses a core of a material comprising at least one ferromagnetic compound in powder form dispersed in a chemically inert matrix, said outer layer being biocompatible to avoid direct exposure of the core to the body of the patient; characterized in that said magnetic device comprises at least one permanent magnet associated with a respective support that is designed to be held by an operator and defines said movement means, said magnetic device being adapted to be repeatedly moved to cause the mechanical breakdown of the fecalomas due to impacts between the latter and the ingestible element and the removal of the obstruction at the colon, said outer layer being insoluble, non-absorbable and capable of withstanding the gastrointestinal environment, such that said ingestible element may reach the colon of the patient in intact form, contact, breakdown and push the fecalomas and cause the intestinal contents to move forward in the aboral direction and be expelled in an unaltered state with the feces, further comprising a support for the body of the patient and in that said magnetic device further comprises at least one pair of electromagnets placed on opposite sides relative to the patient, said movement means consisting of said support for imparting the movement relative to said ingestible element.