What causes a constant feeling of rectal fullness and tenesmus throughout the day?
Disease description:
My husband constantly feels the urge to defecate and experiences a sensation of rectal heaviness or fullness, but when he goes to the bathroom, he can't pass much stool—sometimes only a small amount. He also has abdominal pain during bowel movements and persistent rectal pressure, causing significant discomfort. Why does he feel this constant rectal fullness and urge to defecate throughout the day?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Zhao Haiming
A constant feeling of anal fullness and tenesmus throughout the day is usually caused by fecal impaction. Long-term constipation can lead to fecal retention, where the lower rectum absorbs moisture from the stool, causing it to harden. These hardened or dry stools accumulate in the rectum, resulting in a sensation of anal heaviness and distension. This condition can be managed through interventions such as manual enema or removal of the impacted stool.
