Q. What is the medical term for feeling like you're not satisfied with your latest bowel movement?
Doctor Answer is medically reviewed by SecondMedic medical review team.
The medical term for feeling unsatisfied with your last bowel movement is called "incomplete defecation syndrome" (IDS). IDS is a type of functional gastrointestinal disorder wherein individuals experience an inability to empty the bowels completely, or have difficulty in doing so. This can lead to feelings of incomplete evacuation and discomfort that may leave the individual dissatisfied with their bowel movement.
In general, IDS may be caused by various factors that include lifestyle habits such as diet, physical activity level, medications and stress levels; it can also stem from medical conditions like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), constipation or obstipation (severe constipation), rectal prolapse, pelvic floor dysfunction or even neurological disorders. Additionally, structural abnormalities affecting the rectum such as fecal impaction due to hard stool being present in the rectum may impair complete evacuation.
To diagnose this condition accurately and rule out other disorders associated with similar symptoms, physicians typically rely on colonic transit studies which measure how quickly food passes through a person's intestines; manometry tests used to assess pressure changes within the intestinal walls; sigmoidoscopies or endoscopic examinations of the lower intestine via camera-like instruments; defecography studies which use X-ray imaging techniques to detect tight sphincter muscles or anatomical abnormalities within the pelvic floor muscles during strain effort phase of evacuating movements. Treatment often includes dietary modifications like increasing fiber intake and drinking plenty of fluids for those whose severity does not warrant more aggressive measures such as drugs used for IBS symptom relief—antispasmodics, laxatives etc., biofeedback therapy designed to strengthen weakened pelvic floor muscles while relaxing spastic ones.; physical therapies like postural adjustments are usually helpful too when combined with relaxation exercises that address mental health issues associated with IDS; finally surgery is only recommended when other means fail—for both improving functional outcomes AND eliminating any congenital diseases found underlying digestive tract’s structure.
It should be noted that some patients report significant improvements after simply making necessary dietary/lifestyle changes while others remain disappointed despite still following all therapeutic recommendations faithfully – since each case & its contributing factors vary greatly from individual to individual, it’s important for sufferers & their healthcare providers alike not lose hope if initial attempts don’t provide expected results - because many times better solutions present themselves once underlying behavioral patterns get identified and addressed accordingly!