What is tenesmus?

Tenesmus refers specifically to the persistent urge to pass stools despite having an empty bowel. This condition often arises from gastrointestinal disorders and can be associated with various medical issues, such as infections, inflammatory bowel disease, or rectal abnormalities. The sensation can cause significant discomfort and frustration for those experiencing it, as it often leads to the feeling of incomplete evacuation.

In this context, it’s essential to understand the nuances of digestive system symptoms. The other options offer descriptions of different gastrointestinal or related conditions. The feeling of fullness after eating relates more to satiety or digestive processing. A digestive disorder causing nausea can encompass a range of issues, but it does not specifically align with the definition of tenesmus. Painful swallowing, known as odynophagia, pertains to a different area of the digestive tract, specifically the esophagus, and does not connect to the urge to defecate. Thus, the definition of tenesmus is distinctly characterized by the urge to defecate while the bowels are empty, which makes the provided answer accurate.