HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

question-icon

What Causes Discomfort During Defecation?

default
Posted on Sat, 17 Dec 2016
Question: I am having some discomfort while going to the bathroom. Can you help?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Remy Koshy (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Most discomforts are caused by lifestyle and food habits

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for sharing your concerns, I am surely glad to help you

Before I could guide you any further, I would like to know a few related details that will allow me to help you more:
- could you describe more on "discomfort" you are experiencing?
- is there any associated blood in the stools?
- how long have you been having this discomfort?

Most discomfort while going to bathroom is closely related to the lifestyle and food habits.
I would suggest you to do the following:

* drink plenty of fluids esp, water (2 litres at the least)
* consume foods rich in fiber which will help in easy bowel movements: fruits like strawberries, oranges, plums, pears; and also lots of greens
* engage more in physical exercise
* you may also take lactulose syrup which is available over the counter, which will help in softening the stools and thus, its easy passage. This syrup can be taken twice daily for a week or two. You are required to drink plenty of water while taking this drug.
* avoid caffeine as much as possible
* if you are on any other medications that may cause this symptom, I would suggest you to discuss it with your treating doctor.
* also having a glass of warm water mixed with a few drops of lemon and one teaspoon of honey, every morning, will be of much help.
* avoid any form of stress and also maintain a normal sleep- wake cycle as it can also alter your bowel habits.

Hope this helps.
Please feel free to discuss further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Remy Koshy (1 hour later)
Im sorry, I should have been more specific. I am dealing with some irritation on mypenis that makes it really uncomfortable to pee.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Remy Koshy (1 minute later)
Brief Answer:
requires a few more details

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Thanks for reverting back,

Since now you have mentioned that you are having some irritation in your penis while peeing, it would be better if you could answer me the following:
- do you experience any burning sensation while peeing?
- any associated lower abdominal pain, fever, frothy urine?
- any previous history of urinary tract infections?


Kindly revert back with your answers so that I can help you,
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Remy Koshy (14 minutes later)
Yeah I do feel a bit of burning and my penis looks a bit more red and swollen than normal.

I have never had this happen before and I'm not having any other pain .
doctor
Answered by Dr. Remy Koshy (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
I would like to enlist a few possibilties

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Thanks for the update,

From the brief description that you have provided me with, I would like to enlist a few possibilities:

- Urinary tract infection- which is common and can result due to insufficient water intake and improper hygiene. I presume you have not done any investigations yet. In that case, it would be for your best to do a urine routine examination test and if found to have pus ells, you can do a urine culture to loos for any causative organism and get treatment accordingly.

- Balanitis- is likely, according to your symptoms, it can happen if not circumcised, irritation caused due to some soaps, due to some bacterial infection. For this I would suggest you to consult with a doctor in your area, for proper local examination and further management. This can be managed easily with proper medicines.

- STDs- If you are sexually active, chances are that organisms like chlamydia or gonorrhea can cause similar symptoms.


Hope I have answered to your query,
Kindly revert back for any further queries or else kindly close and rate.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Remy Koshy (17 minutes later)
I have pretty good hygene and I'm not sexually active so I don't think I have a urinary tract infection or a STD.

I might have balanitis but ho would I know if I've been circumcised?w
doctor
Answered by Dr. Remy Koshy (19 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
presence of foreskin shows that you are not circumcised

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Thanks for replying back,

To know if you are circumcised or not, the presence of foreskin presence of foreskin
The foreskin can get tight and cause the resultant symptoms.

In any case, I would suggest it best for you to consult with a doctor for a local examination and get further treatment. A course of antibiotics and a topical ointment would provide you cure.

Hope this helps
Thanks and regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Remy Koshy (10 minutes later)
I'm confused - I have a feeling of tightness but I am not sure if this is due to foreskin. Can you help?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Remy Koshy (17 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
feeling of tightness while peeing is a symptom of balanitis

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thanks for the follow up,

The feeling of tightness experienced while peeing is a symptom of balanitis. This could be caused by skin irritation or due to any infection. Since you do not seem to have any further symptoms other than redness and a swollen penile head, it seems to be due to skin irritation.

I would suggest you to take a topical ointment containing hydrocortisone which is a steroid in small doses, which will help in reducing the inflammation. Since this is better to be taken under medical supervision, I would suggest you to consult a doctor and get it prescribed. You may use this ointment for a period of 2 weeks and not more.

Hope this helps
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY
doctor
default
Follow up: Dr. Remy Koshy (1 hour later)
You are right, it's best I see a doctor. But until I do:

1. Can you tell me if I have foreskin? I'm not sure if I should be worried about this or not.
2. Is there anything I can do at home to feel better before I see the doctor?

doctor
Answered by Dr. Remy Koshy (31 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Kindly attach a pic of the area if possible

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for the follow up,

1. Kindly attach a pic of the area if possible, so that I can state clearly on the presence of foreskin. Or else look for the below features:
- a skin fold that covers the penile head while in non- erection state
- a skin fold that you need to retract while peeing.

2. I would suggest you to do the following till you can meet with a doctor:
- drink plenty of water so that your urine becomes less concentrated
- avoid soaps while washing
- you can also do salt water bath, which will reduce the inflammation
- add one glass of apple cider vinegar and some salt in one tub of lukewarm bathing water, which has reported to give relief.
- wear loose fitting clothes

Hope this helps
Regards
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. REMY KOSHY
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Remy Koshy

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 476 Questions

premium_optimized

The User accepted the expert's answer

Share on

Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties

159 Doctors Online

By proceeding, I accept the Terms and Conditions

HCM Blog Instant Access to Doctors
HCM Blog Questions Answered
HCM Blog Satisfaction
What Causes Discomfort During Defecation?

Brief Answer: Most discomforts are caused by lifestyle and food habits Detailed Answer: Hello, Thanks for sharing your concerns, I am surely glad to help you Before I could guide you any further, I would like to know a few related details that will allow me to help you more: - could you describe more on "discomfort" you are experiencing? - is there any associated blood in the stools? - how long have you been having this discomfort? Most discomfort while going to bathroom is closely related to the lifestyle and food habits. I would suggest you to do the following: * drink plenty of fluids esp, water (2 litres at the least) * consume foods rich in fiber which will help in easy bowel movements: fruits like strawberries, oranges, plums, pears; and also lots of greens * engage more in physical exercise * you may also take lactulose syrup which is available over the counter, which will help in softening the stools and thus, its easy passage. This syrup can be taken twice daily for a week or two. You are required to drink plenty of water while taking this drug. * avoid caffeine as much as possible * if you are on any other medications that may cause this symptom, I would suggest you to discuss it with your treating doctor. * also having a glass of warm water mixed with a few drops of lemon and one teaspoon of honey, every morning, will be of much help. * avoid any form of stress and also maintain a normal sleep- wake cycle as it can also alter your bowel habits. Hope this helps. Please feel free to discuss further. Regards