Lower digestive anatomy
Lower digestive anatomy

Tenesmus

Definition:
Tenesmus is the constant feeling of the need to empty the bowel, accompanied by pain, cramping, and involuntary straining efforts.

Alternative Names:
Pain - passing stool; Painful stools; Difficulty passing stool

Considerations:
Tenesmus is generally associated with inflammatory diseases of the bowel of both infectious and noninfectious origin. It is characterized by a sensation of needing to pass stool, accompanied by pain, cramping, and straining. Despite straining, little stool is passed.
Common Causes:
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Crohn's disease
  • Ulcerative colitis
  • Anorectal abscess
  • Infectious colitis (infection of the colon)
  • Colorectal cancer or tumors
  • Radiation proctitis or colitis (inflammation of the colon or rectum from radiation)
Home Care:

If you feel that you are constipated, try to increase your fluid and fiber intake.

Call your health care provider if:

Tenesmus continues, whether continuously or intermittently. Contact your doctor if there are associated symptoms such as abdominal pain, fever, chills, blood in the stool, nausea, or vomiting. It may be a sign of an underlying disorder.

What to expect at your health care provider's office:
The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting tenesmus in detail may include:
  • Time pattern
    • Did this develop recently?
    • Is it the first time you have experienced this?
    • Does the feeling come and go or is it constant?
  • Symptom history
  • General medical history
    • Any medical problems in the past?
  • Dietary history
    • Have you eaten anything unusual or uncooked?
    • Have you been at a picnic, gathering, or similar event recently?
  • Other
    • Have any other people in your family or social group experienced similar problem(s)?

The physical examination may include a detailed abdominal examination. A rectal examination (and prostate check for men) may be performed in most cases.

Diagnostic tests that may be performed include:

    After seeing your health care provider:
    You may want to add a diagnosis related to tenesmus to your personal medical record.

    Review Date: 1/21/2002
    Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, M.D., Department of Gastroenterology, Graduate Hospital, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.
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