It is associated with discomfort, cramping, straining, and rectal pain.
This article describes the possible causes of tenesmus.
It also explains what your healthcare provider will do to diagnose and treat this common but often distressing symptom.
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Conditions
Tenesmus is, essentially, a sign that your digestive system is not functioning properly.
This can result in tenesmus as well as other symptoms such as diarrhea and pain.
That can trigger the muscles in the gut that are used to push out feces.
Bowel Damage
Another possible cause of tenesmus is scarring in the bowel brought on by severediarrheaorconstipation.
When this scar tissue builds up, it makes it difficult to pass stool.
It may also cause you to feel as if there’s more in the bowel than there actually is.
Sores or growths around the rectum or in the colon can do the same.
The first step is to review your medical history, family history, and current symptoms.
You should be prepared to answer questions about your bowel habits, diet, and lifestyle.
Next, your healthcare provider will conduct further tests to find the underlying reason for your symptoms.
Physical Exam
The physical exam is essential to the diagnosis of tenesmus.
The exam may include adigital rectal exam (DRE).
Blood tests and imaging studies can support the diagnosis, but they cannot diagnose the disease.
Tenesmus Treatment
Tenesmus tends to improve once the underlying cause is identified and treated.
Because the causes of tenesmus are so diverse, so are the treatments.
Below are the treatments used for the conditions that cause tenesmus.
Blood tests, imaging tests, and procedures like a colonoscopy and biopsy may also be needed.
Once the cause is identified, the underlying condition needs to be treated for your tenesmus to go away.
Many of these conditions require a change in diet, medication, or surgery to help relieve the symptoms.
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