Considerations
Tenesmus is characterized by a sensation of needing to pass stool, accompanied by pain, cramping, and straining. Despite straining, little stool is passed. Tenesmus is generally associated with inflammatory diseases of the bowel, which may be caused by either infectious or noninfectious conditions. Conditions associated with tenesmus include:
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Diverticular disease
- Cytomegalovirus (in immunocompromised patients)
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Coeliac disease
- Pelvic floor dysfunction
- Prolapsed hemorrhoid
- Radiation proctitis
- Rectal gonorrhoea
- Rectal lymphogranuloma venereum
- Ulcerative colitis
- Colorectal cancer
- Anal Melanoma
- Rectal lower GI parasitic infection, particularly Trichuris trichiura (whipworm)
- Shigellosis
- Amebiasis
- Kidney stones, when a stone is lodged in the lower ureter
Read more about this topic: Rectal Tenesmus