4. Feeling That Your Bowel Doesn’t Empty Completely: An Unsettling Sensation After Relief
Imagine the feeling of relief post a bowel movement, only to be accompanied by a nagging sensation that you haven’t quite emptied your bowel completely. This lingering sensation is more than just uncomfortable; it can be a subtle sign of something obstructing the normal flow of feces.
It’s essential first to understand the mechanics. The rectum’s primary role is to act as a reservoir for feces. When it’s full, the body signals the need for a bowel movement. If a tumor is present in the rectum, even after emptying, it can create a sensation of fullness or blockage, leading to this disconcerting feeling.
Other conditions, like constipation or rectal prolapse, can also create this sensation. However, when this feeling is consistent and doesn’t have an evident cause like constipation, it’s crucial to delve deeper. The obstruction caused by a tumor can also change the stool’s shape, often leading to narrower stools, which might not clear the bowel effectively. (4)
