Health Encyclopedia

Tenesmus

Definition

Tenesmus involves constantly feeling the need to empty the bowels, along with pain, cramping, and straining.

Alternative Names

Pain - passing stool; Painful stools; Difficulty passing stool

Considerations

Tenesmus usually occurs with inflammatory diseases of the bowels. These diseases may be caused by an infection or other conditions.

People with tenesmus feel as though they need to pass stool. Although they strain, they pass little stool.

Common Causes

Anorectal abscess
Colorectal cancer or tumors
Crohn's disease
Infection of the colon (infectious colitis)
Inflammation of the colon or rectum from radiation (radiation proctitis or colitis)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Ulcerative colitis

Home Care

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

Call your health care provider if

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:

Abdominal pain
Blood in the stool
Chills
Fever
Nausea
Vomiting

These symptoms could be a sign of a disease that might be causing the problem.

What to expect at your health care provider's office

The doctor will examine you and ask questions such as:

Time pattern
- Did this develop recently?
- Is it the first time you have had tenesmus?
- Does the feeling come and go, or is it constant?
Symptom history
- Do you have a constant need to empty the bowels?
- Do you have abdominal pain?
- Do you have cramping?
- Do you have a persistent feeling of straining?
- Do you have diarrhea or vomiting?
- What other symptoms do you have (such as blood in stool, fever)?
Dietary history
- Have you eaten anything unusual or uncooked?
- Have you been at a picnic, gathering, or similar event recently?
Other
- Have you had any medical problems in the past?
- Have any other people in your family or social group experienced similar problems?

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

Tests that may be done include:

Colonoscopy to look at the colon and rectum
Complete blood count (CBC)
CT scan of the abdomen (in rare cases)
Electrolytes
Stool cultures
X-rays of the abdomen

Review Date:8/22/2008
Reviewed By:Christian Stone, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

ADAM Quality A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org). URAC's accreditation program is the first of its kind, requiring compliance with 53 standards of quality and accountability, verified by independent audit. A.D.A.M. is among the first to achieve this important distinction for online health information and services. Learn more about A.D.A.M.'s editorial process. A.D.A.M. is also a founding member of Hi-Ethics (www.hiethics.com) and subscribes to the principles of the Health on the Net Foundation (www.hon.ch).

The Agency for Health Care Administration (Agency) and this website do not claim the information on, or referred to by, this site is error free. This site may include links to websites of other government agencies or private groups. Our Agency and this website do not control such sites and are not responsible for their content. Reference to or links to any other group, product, service, or information does not mean our Agency or this website approves of that group, product, service, or information.

Additionally, while health information provided through this website may be a valuable resource for the public, it is not designed to offer medical advice. Talk with your doctor about medical care questions you may have.