Tenesmus

The painful, urgent sensation of needing to pass stool, even when the bowels are empty. It often causes severe cramping and straining. Typically associated with inflammation, irritation, or obstructive pathology of the distal bowel. Possible causes are Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, infectious colitis, constipation, hemorrhoids, rectal abscesses, anal fissure, irritable bowel syndrome, pelvic floor dysfunction, colorectal cancer, and radiation proctitis.