Tenesmus

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Lower digestive anatomy

Overview

Treatment

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, which may be caused by an infection or by other 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:

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)

Review Date: 1/23/2006
Reviewed By: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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