Fecal straining

Fecal straining: Introduction

Fecal straining during a bowel movement can be a symptom of various conditions (and is also dangerous causing various possible complications just from straining). Bowel straining may also be associated with either constipation or diarrhea, and some conditions causing fecal straining may be listed under constipation or diarrhea.

» Review Causes of Fecal straining: full list

Causes of Fecal straining:

The following medical conditions are some of the possible causes of Fecal straining. There are likely to be other possible causes, so ask your doctor about your symptoms.

• Constipation
• Tenesmus
• See also causes of constipation
• more causes...»

See full list of 21 causes of Fecal straining

» Review Causes of Fecal straining: full list

Causes of Types of Fecal straining:

Review the causes of these more specific types of Fecal straining:

• Tenesmus (44 causes)
• more types...»

See full list of 2 types for Fecal straining

Fecal straining: Symptom Checker

Listed below are some combinations of symptoms associated with Fecal straining, as listed in our database. Visit the Symptom Checker, to add and remove symptoms and research your condition.

Symptom Checker

• Fecal straining: Symptom Checker

Symptom Checker

• Fecal straining and Anal symptoms (19 causes)
• Fecal straining and Bowel movements (19 causes)
• Fecal straining and Constipation (19 causes)
• Fecal straining and Digestive symptoms (19 causes)
• Fecal straining and Tenesmus (19 causes)
• Fecal straining and Abdominal symptoms (18 causes)
• Fecal straining and Nerve symptoms (18 causes)
• Fecal straining and Pain (18 causes)
• Fecal straining and Sensations (18 causes)
• Fecal straining and Bowel problems (15 causes)
• Fecal straining and Stool symptoms (14 causes)
• Fecal straining and Abdominal pain (14 causes)
• Fecal straining and Bowel incontinence (11 causes)
• Fecal straining and Diarrhea (11 causes)
• Fecal straining and Swelling symptoms (10 causes)
• Fecal straining and Abdominal swelling (8 causes)
• Fecal straining and Bleeding symptoms (8 causes)
• Fecal straining and Head symptoms (7 causes)
• Fecal straining and Bloody stool (7 causes)
• more...»

See full list of 280 Symptom Checker combinations related to Fecal straining

Fecal straining: Marketplace Products, Discounts & Offers

Products, offers and promotion categories available related to Fecal straining:

• Pain
• Arthritis & Pain
• Digestive Health
• Injury & Recovery
• Sleeping & Insomnia
• more product offers...»

Causes of General Symptom Types

Research the causes of these more general types of symptom:

• Digestive symptoms (4279 causes)
• Constipation (702 causes)
• Bowel movements (2076 causes)
• Stool symptoms (2187 causes)
• Bowel problems (2267 causes)
• Abdominal symptoms (3027 causes)
• more symptoms...»

Causes of Similar Symptoms to Fecal straining

Research the causes of these symptoms that are similar to, or related to, the symptom Fecal straining:

• Constipation (702 causes)
• Bowel obstruction (51 causes)
• Stool symptoms (2187 causes)
• Dehydration (239 causes)
• Poor diet
• Low-fiber diet
• Inadequate water intake
• Laxative abuse (4 causes)
• Inadequate exercise
• Pregnancy (471 causes)
• Advancing age
• Travel-related constipation
• Poor bowel habits
• more symptoms...»

Diagnostic Guides for Fecal straining

Medical Books Excerpts Read excertps from published book sections related to Fecal straining from the following published medical books for more detailed information about Fecal straining. Free access (no registration): read all online diagnostic book sections about Fecal straining

Copyright notice for book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Fecal straining: Undiagnosed Conditions

Conditions that are commonly undiagnosed in related areas may include:

• Chronic Digestive Disorders that can remain Undiagnosed:
  • Crohn's Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • Ulcerative Colitis -- Undiagnosed
  • Celiac Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • Heartburn -- Undiagnosed
  • GERD -- Undiagnosed
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease -- Undiagnosed
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome -- Undiagnosed
  • Carcinoid Syndrome -- Undiagnosed
  • Pancreatitis -- Undiagnosed
• more undiagnosed conditions...»

Hospitals & Clinics: Fecal straining

Research extensive quality ratings and patient safety measures for hospitals, clinics and medical facilities in health specialties related to Fecal straining:

• Digestive Health (Gastroenterology) -- Hospital Quality Ratings
• more quality ratings...»

Research Hospital & Clinic Quality Ratings » »

Fecal straining: Research Related Doctors & Specialists

• Digestive Health Specialists (Gastroenterology):
  • Gastroenterology (Digestive Specialists)
  • Pediatric Gastroenterology (Child Digestive Health)
• Pain Specialists:
  • Pain Medicine
  • Rheumatology (Arthritis / Joint Pain)
• Arthritis & Joint Health Specialists (Rheumatology):
  • Rheumatology (Joint Health)
  • Pediatric Rheumatology (Child Joint Health)
• more specialists...»

Other ways to find a doctor, or use doctor, physician and specialist online research services:

• Rate Your Doctor by Taking a Survey Online
• Research Your Doctor
• View Online Patient Surveys from Other Patients of Your Doctor
• Research local doctors and specialists including ratings, affiliations, and sanctions.

Misdiagnosis and Fecal straining

Chronic digestive conditions often misdiagnosed: When diagnosing chronic symptoms of the digestive tract, there are a variety of conditions that may be misdiagnosed. The best known, irritable...read more »

Intestinal bacteria disorder may be hidden cause: One of the lesser known causes of diarrhea is an imbalance of bacterial in the gut, sometimes called intestinal imbalance....read more »

Antibiotics often causes diarrhea: The use of antibiotics are very likely to cause some level of diarrhea in patients. The reason is that antibiotics kill off not only "bad...read more »

Food poisoning may actually be an infectious disease: Many people who come down with "stomach symptoms" like diarrhea assume that it's "something I ate" (i.e. food poisoning). In fact, it's more...read more »

Mesenteric adenitis misdiagnosed as appendicitis in children: Because appendicitis is one of the more feared conditions for a child with abdominal pain, it can be over-diagnosed (it can, of course, also fail to be...read more »

Leg cramps at night a classic sign: The symptom of having leg muscle cramps, particularly at night, is a classic sign of undiagnosed diabetes. However, there are also various...read more »

Celiac disease often fails to be diagnosed cause of chronic digestive symptoms: One of the most common chronic digestive conditions is celiac disease, a malabsorption disorder with a variety of...read more »

Chronic digestive diseases hard to diagnose: There is an inherent difficulty in diagnosing the various types of chronic digestive diseases. Some of the better known possibilities are peptic ulcer, colon...read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Fecal straining

Fecal straining: Related Rare Diseases

Rare types of medical conditions and diseases in related medical categories:

• Chronic Digestive Disorders -- Rare Types:
  • Crohn's Disease -- Rare Types
  • Ulcerative Colitis -- Rare Types
  • Celiac Disease -- Rare Types
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease -- Rare Types
  • Irritable Bowel Syndrome -- Rare Types
  • Carcinoid Syndrome -- Rare Types
  • Pancreatitis -- Rare Types
  • Gallstones -- Rare Types
  • Lactose Intolerance -- Rare Types
• more rare diseases...»

Diagnostic tests for Fecal straining:

Various tests are used in the diagnosis of Fecal straining. Some of these are listed below :

• Physical examination
  • Inspection of external anus looking for disease that may cause constipation e.g. anal fissure; or pathology that may be a result of constipation and fecal straining e.g. hemorrhoids, anal fissure
  • Digital rectal examination - if there are symptoms of intestinal obstruction and the rectum is empty it may suggest complete intestinal obstruction but if there are some feces in the rectum there may be an incomplete intestinal obstruction; if rectal mass is found it suggests colon cancer.
  • Test perianal sensation and the anal reflex to support neurological cause of bowel infrequency
  • Abdominal examination for tenderness, a mass, fecal loading, abdominal distension or a irregular liver edge e.g. a mass in the right lower abdomen may suggest bowel cancer or diverticulitis; a mass on right, left or upper abdomen may also suggest bowel cancer; tenderness in the left lower abdomen, with or without a significant mass may suggest ulcerative colitis, diverticulitis or irritable bowel syndrome
• more tests...»

See full list of 25 diagnostic tests for Fecal straining

Diagnosis Checklist: Questions your doctor may ask (and why!)

During a consultation, your doctor will use various techniques in their assessment of Fecal straining. Your doctor may ask several questions when assessing your condition. It is important to remember that your consultation is a two-way process and any extra information you can share with your doctor about your symptoms may help them with their diagnosis. Some of the questions your doctor may ask are listed below:

• What is the nature of fecal straining? - e.g. fecal straining during a bowel movement may be associated with either constipation or diarrhea.
• When did the fecal straining start? - to determine if acute or chronic e.g. if acute and associated with constipation may suggest intestinal obstruction or bowel cancer. If chronic fecal straining associated with constipation need to investigate the dietary history, emotional status and toilet habits. If acute and associated with diarrhea is likely to be infectious in nature e.g. staphylococcal toxin food poisoning, giardiasis, traveler's diarrhea, a virus or contaminated food.
• Frequency and consistency of bowel movements? - to establish if true constipation (i.e. less than 3 stools per week or stools that are hard to evacuate) or true diarrhea (more than 3 per day or loose or watery consistency).
• Dietary history? - to determine if lack of fiber may be the cause of constipation and thus fecal straining e.g. fast food is usually devoid of fiber; weight loss diets may be low in fiber; lack of dietary fiber such as fruit, vegetables and wholemeal products.
• Toilet habits over the life span? - e.g. a common cause of chronic constipation is the habitual neglect of the impulse to defecate leading to accumulation of large, dry faecal masses which causes constant rectal distension from feces and consequent reduced awareness of rectal fullness.
• more questions...»

See Diagnosis Checklist for Fecal straining (23 listings)

Diagnosis Checklist: Associated symptoms your doctor may ask about (and why!)

Sometimes, other symptoms may be present and may help your doctor analyse your condition. The symptoms your doctor may ask about (in association with Fecal straining) may include:

• Tenesmus ( painful straining with the feeling of incomplete evacuation)? - may indicate irritable bowel syndrome, rectal tumor or proctitis (inflammation of the rectum).
• Bloody stool with painful evacuation? - if constipated may suggest hemorrhoids or anal fissure. If defecation is painful it may cause you to delay moving your bowels due to fear of the pain which may further perpetuate the problem.
• Bloody stool with painless evacuation? - If constipated, may suggest colon cancer or diverticulitis. If acute bloody diarrhea, may suggest Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter jejuni, ulcerative colitis and amebic dysentery. If chronic bloody diarrhea, may suggest ulcerative colitis, bowel cancer, diverticulitis, amoebiasis, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome.
• Blood and mucous in the stool? - may suggest inflammatory bowel disease which may be associated with either constipation or diarrhea.
• Fever? - With diarrhea, may suggest Salmonella, Shigella, Campylobacter jejuni and ulcerative colitis, severe amoebic dysentery or pseudomembranous colitis. May get a low grade temperature with traveler's diarrhea and toxic staphylococcal gastroenteritis.
• more symptoms...»

See Diagnosis Checklist for Fecal straining (23 listings)

Home Diagnostic Testing and Fecal straining

Home medical tests possibly related to Fecal straining:

• Colon & Rectal Cancer: Home Testing
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Tests
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Tests
• Food Allergies & Intolerances: Home Testing:
  • Home Food Allergy Tests
  • Home Food Intolerance Testing
  • Home Water Testing
  • Home Lead Poisoning Tests
  • Home Heavy Metal Poisoning Tests
• Digestive-Related Home Testing:
  • Home Stomach Ulcer Tests
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Test Kits
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Test Kits
• more tests...»

Stories from Users for Fecal straining

Real-life user stories relating to Fecal straining:

• ACL Strain - Please help !
• 17 yo with bowel troubles... in need of help
• Strained Ligament??? Please help

Symptom specific forums: The following patient stories in our interactive forums and message boards relate to Fecal straining or relevant symptoms:

• Neurological (Nerves) (606)
  • Could this be MS?
  • Numbness and tingling all over
  • Eye twitch
  • Tingling/numbness in arms/hands/legs/face/head [more symptoms]
  • So many symptoms but no diagnosis...GGRRR
  • More user stories
• Cardiovascular (Heart and Blood Circulation) (333)
  • Chest pain and shortness of breath
  • Purple-blue skin color
  • Palpitations, inner left arm pain
  • Hand numbness
  • Need help with diagnoses
  • More user stories
• Gastrointestinal (Food - from entry to exit) (775)
  • Bloating/Distention/Intestinal Gas
  • Intense Abdominal Pain
  • Feels like a baby kicking-not pregnant
  • Help Please! Extreme Abdominal Pain/Gas/Bowel Symptoms ++
  • Explosive Diarrhea after eating
  • More user stories

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Organs affected by Fecal straining:

The list of organs typically affected by Fecal straining may include, but is not limited to:

• Anus
• Large bowel
• Rectum

Detailed list of causes of Fecal straining

The list below shows some of the causes of Fecal straining mentioned in various sources:

• Alternating Bowel Habit IBS - Tenesmus
• Anal Cancer - Tenesmus
• Anal conditions - Tenesmus
• Anorectal disorders - Tenesmus
• Bowel conditions - Tenesmus
• Carbamate insecticide poisoning - tenesmus
• more causes...»

See full list of 21 causes of Fecal straining

How Common are these Causes of Fecal straining?

This information refers to the general prevalence and incidence of these diseases, not to how likely they are to be the actual cause of Fecal straining. Of the 21 causes of Fecal straining that we have listed, we have the following prevalence/incidence information:

• 0 causes are "very common" diseases
• 1 causes are "common" diseases
• 0 causes are "uncommon" diseases
• 0 causes are "rare" diseases
• 2 causes are "very rare" diseases
• 20 causes have no prevalence information.

See the analysis of the prevalence of 21 causes of Fecal straining

Conditions listing symptoms: Fecal straining:

The following list of conditions have 'Fecal straining' or similar listed as a symptom in our database. This computer-generated list may be inaccurate or incomplete. Always seek prompt professional medical advice about the cause of any symptom.

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Causes of Fecal straining Based on Risk Factors

This information shows analysis of the list of causes of Fecal straining based on whether certain risk factors apply to the patient: