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Tenesmus

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Contents of this page:

Illustrations

Lower digestive anatomy
Lower digestive anatomy

Alternative names    Return to top

Pain - passing stool; Painful stools; Difficulty passing stool

Definition    Return to top

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

Considerations    Return to top

Tenesmus is generally associated with inflammatory diseases of the bowel, which may be caused by either infectious or noninfectious conditions. Tenesmus is characterized by a sensation of needing to pass stool, accompanied by pain, cramping, and straining. Despite straining, little stool is passed.

Common Causes    Return to top

Home Care    Return to top

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

Call your health care provider if    Return to top

Tenesmus continues, whether it is constant or intermittent. Contact your doctor if there is 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    Return to top

The medical history will be obtained and a physical examination performed.

Medical history questions documenting tenesmus in detail may include:

The physical examination may include a detailed abdominal examination. A rectal examination -- and prostate check for men -- is 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.

Update Date: 1/26/2004

Updated by: Sreeni Jonnalagadda, M.D., Interventional and Pancreatobiliary Endoscopy, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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