Locations Main Campus: Chesterfield, MO 63017   |   Locations
314-434-1500 314-434-1500   |   Contact Us

Multimedia Encyclopedia


 
E-mail Form
Email Results

 
 
Print-Friendly
Bookmarks
bookmarks-menu

Tenesmus

Pain - passing stool; Painful stools; Difficulty passing stool

 

Tenesmus is the feeling that you need to pass stools, even though your bowels are already empty. It may involve straining, pain, and cramping.

Considerations

 

Tenesmus most often 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. These diseases are known as motility disorders.

People with tenesmus may push very hard (strain) to try to empty their bowels. However, they will only pass a small amount of stool.

 

Causes

 

The condition may be caused by:

  • Anorectal abscess
  • Colorectal cancer or tumors
  • Crohn disease
  • Infection of the colon (infectious colitis)
  • Inflammation of the colon or rectum from radiation (radiation proctitis or colitis)
  • Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
  • Movement (motility) disorder of the intestines
  • Ulcerative colitis

 

Home Care

 

Increasing the amount of fiber and fluid in your diet can help ease constipation.

 

When to Contact a Medical Professional

 

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 Office Visit

 

The provider will examine you and ask questions such as:

  • When did this problem occur? Have you had it before?
  • What symptoms are you having?
  • Have you eaten any raw, new, or unfamiliar foods? Have you eaten at a picnic or large gathering?
  • Do any others in your household have similar problems?
  • What other health problems do you have or have had in the past?

The physical exam may include a detailed abdominal exam. A rectal exam 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)
  • Proctosigmoidoscopy (an examination of the lower bowel)
  • Stool cultures
  • X-rays of the abdomen

 

 

References

Camilleri M. Disorders of gastrointestinal motility. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 136.

Dinning PG, Costa M, Brookes SJH. Colonic motor and sensory function and dysfunction. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 100.

Lichtenstein GP. Inflammatory bowel disease. In: Goldman L, Schafer AI, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine . 25th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2016:chap 141.

 
  • Lower digestive anatomy - illustration

    Food passes from the stomach into the small intestine. In the small intestine all nutrient absorption occurs. Whatever has not been absorbed by the small intestine passes into the colon. In the colon most of the water is absorbed from the food residue. The residue is then eliminated from the body as feces.

    Lower digestive anatomy

    illustration

    • Lower digestive anatomy - illustration

      Food passes from the stomach into the small intestine. In the small intestine all nutrient absorption occurs. Whatever has not been absorbed by the small intestine passes into the colon. In the colon most of the water is absorbed from the food residue. The residue is then eliminated from the body as feces.

      Lower digestive anatomy

      illustration


     

    Review Date: 7/22/2016

    Reviewed By: Subodh K. Lal, MD, gastroenterologist at Gastrointestinal Specialists of Georgia, Austell, GA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

    The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

     
     
     

     

     

    A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.



    Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.