Tenesmus is the feeling that you constantly need to pass stools, even though your bowels are already empty. It may involve straining, pain, and cramping.
Tenesmus usually occurs with inflammatory diseases of the bowels. These diseases may be caused by an infection or other conditions.
It can also occur with diseases that affect the normal movements of the intestines. Such diseases are called motility disorders.
Persons with tenesmus may push very hard (strain) to try to empty their bowels, but they pass little stool.
If you feel that you are constipated, try to increase your fluid and fiber intake.
Contact your health care provider if you continue to have symptoms of tenesmus that are constant or come and go.
Also call if you have:
These symptoms could be a sign of a disease that might be causing the problem.
The doctor will examine you and ask questions such as:
The physical examination may include a detailed abdominal examination. A rectal examination is performed in most cases.
Tests that may be done include:
Pain - passing stool; Painful stools; Difficulty passing stool
Camilleri M. Disorders of gastrointestinal motility. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 138.
Stenson WF. Inflammatory bowel disease. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D, eds. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 144.
Updated by: David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
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