What does rectal tenesmus mean?

Rectal tenesmus is characterized by an intense urge to evacuate, even without feces in the rectum. The person feels a sense of inability to completely empty the large intestine, even if he has no stools to expel.

This condition can be associated with other diseases or health problems, such as inflammatory bowel disease, anxiety or problems that affect the motility of the intestine, and can cause symptoms such as pain, especially if there is an involuntary effort to evacuate, cramps or other digestive symptoms.

Treatment depends on the disease that causes tenesmus, which can be done with medication or simply with the adoption of a healthy lifestyle.

Possible causes

There are several causes that can be the cause of rectal tenesmus:

1. Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Ulcerative Colitis or Crohn's Disease, can cause symptoms such as bloating, fever, severe diarrhea and tenesmus. Learn more about Crohn's Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.

2. Intestinal infection

Symptoms of intestinal infection vary depending on the microorganism that causes the disease, but it usually causes cramps and abdominal pain, diarrhea, loss of appetite, fever and in some cases, tenesmus. Know how to identify an intestinal infection and what you can eat.

3. Anal abscess

Anal abscess consists of the formation of a cavity with pus in the skin of the region around the anus, which can cause symptoms such as pain, especially when evacuating or sitting, the appearance of a painful lump in the anal area, bleeding or elimination of yellowish secretion, which can rectal tenesmus may also occur. Learn how to identify this problem.

4. Cancer of the intestine

Bowel cancer can cause symptoms such as frequent diarrhea, blood in the stool, pain in the belly or tenesmus, which can be difficult to identify because they are signs that can also occur due to common problems such as intestinal infection or hemorrhoids. Know other symptoms of bowel cancer.

5. Diverticulosis

This is a disease of the intestine characterized by the formation of diverticula, which are small pockets present in the intestinal mucosa, which form when points on the intestinal wall are fragile, and end up being projected outwards due to intestinal contractions. They usually do not cause symptoms, except when they ignite or infect, giving rise to diverticulitis. Learn how to identify and treat diverticulitis.

6. Irritable bowel syndrome

Irritable bowel syndrome is an intestinal disorder that can cause abdominal pain, constipation or diarrhea and, in some cases, tenesmus. People with this syndrome are especially sensitive to stimuli, such as stress, diet, medications or hormones, which can cause abnormal contractions in the intestine or elsewhere in the gastrointestinal tract. Learn more about Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

In addition to these, there are other causes that can lead to rectal tenesmus, such as inflammation of the colon due to radiation, anxiety, abnormal movement of food in the digestive tract, having a prolapsed hemorrhoid, a rectal abscess or gonorrhea, which is a sexually transmitted disease.

What is the diagnosis

Generally, the diagnosis of rectal tenesmus consists of a physical examination, evaluation of intestinal symptoms and habits, diet, lifestyle and health problems, blood tests and stool culture, X-ray or CT scan of the abdominal region, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and diagnosis of sexually transmitted diseases.

How the treatment is done

Treatment will depend on the cause or disease that is the cause of tenesmus. Thus, treatment can be performed using anti-inflammatory drugs or oral or rectal corticosteroids, which reduce inflammation; immune suppressant drugs, which inhibit the immune system response, which causes inflammation; antibiotics or antiparasitic drugs, which fight infections, in the case of sexually transmitted diseases or intestinal infections.

In addition, the doctor may also recommend the use of laxatives, for people who suffer from tenesmus associated with constipation or for those who have intestinal motility disorders, analgesics to relieve pain and avoid some foods that may be causing intestinal changes.

Natural treatment

In addition to drug treatment, there are measures that can help relieve or even resolve tenesmus. For this, it is very important to adopt a balanced diet, rich in fiber, such as vegetables, fruit, beans and lentils, seeds and nuts, drink plenty of water, exercise regularly, in order to establish a good bowel function and reduce stress.

What is the difference between rectal tenesmus and bladder tenesmus

While rectal tenesmus is characterized by an intense urge to evacuate, with a feeling that stools remain in the rectum, bladder tenesmus is a distinct condition, which is related to the bladder, that is, people with bladder tenesmus, feel that, after urinating, they cannot completely empty the bladder, even if it is empty.