Urgency to defecate, also called fecal urgency, refers to an immediate or urgent need to rush to the bathroom to defecate. If this urge is not met immediately, defecation may occur involuntarily and unintentionally (this is called fecal urge incontinence). The urge to defecate is often seen with diarrhea (loose stools), but can also occur with constipation or as normal bowel movements. Some gastrointestinal complaints can lead to the urge to defecate. It mainly includes IBS and IBD. IBS is irritable bowel syndrome, a functional disorder of the large intestine characterized by changes in bowel habits, such as constipation or diarrhea (loose stools) or a change between the two, bloating and stomach cramps.
IBD means inflammatory bowel disease of an autoimmune disease that includes two GIT conditions namely Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Crohn’s disease results in inflammation in any part of the GIT (gastrointestinal tract). Ulcerative colitis leads to inflammation and ulcers in the colon and/or rectum.
Fecal urgency can also occur with anxiety, pelvic floor dysfunction (a condition that affects the ability to control the pelvic floor muscles that support the urinary bladder, bowels and uterus in women) and radiotherapy to the rectum or pelvis. It can also be seen in the elderly and in people with diabetes. Depending on the cause behind the urgency, other symptoms may also occur. These include loose stools, frequent urges to urinate, abdominal pain/cramps, mucus or blood in the stool, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, weight loss, and fatigue (weakness).
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathic medicines can be of great help in managing urgent cases of defecation. Homeopathic medicines work in the most natural way to relieve this complaint without side effects. In addition to the urgency, these drugs also treat other associated symptoms such as loose stools, frequent urge to urinate, abdominal pain, mucus or blood in the stool, gas, bloating, nausea, vomiting, and fatigue. These medications treat the cause behind bowel movements urgency and provide long-term relief. The most suitable homeopathic medicine for the treatment of these cases is selected after a detailed analysis of the case in each individual case based on the characteristic symptoms. It is recommended that any case of stool urgency be assessed by a homeopathic doctor and take medication as per the doctor’s advice. Self-medication should be avoided in any case.
Homeopathic medicines to get relief from the urgency of passing stool
1. Aloe Socotrina – Top medicine
Aloe Socotrina is one of the most recommended medications to address cases of bowel urgency. First, it is best suited for cases where a person feels a sudden urge to urinate shortly after eating or drinking. Rumbling and gurgling are felt in the rectum, followed by an immediate urge to defecate. In most cases, a constant pressure is felt in the rectum. The crank is loose in cases where this is necessary. The stool may contain jelly-like mucus. In some cases, if necessary, the stool involuntarily passes on its own with the escape of gas. Pain and burning sensation at the anus may be well marked. Secondly, it is a leading drug to treat cases where a person feels the urge to urinate soon after getting up in the morning. It is necessary to run to the toilet in the morning to empty the intestines.
2. Croton Tiglium – With sudden passage of flowing feces
This medicine is recommended for cases of urgent defecation with sudden defecation (which suddenly comes with force in a large volume). An excessive amount of gas is released along with the feces. The urge to defecate occurs immediately after eating or drinking. The stool is watery and yellow when necessary. The feces smell bad. It may contain mucus. Sometimes the stool is watery with whitish flakes in it. The stool may also contain undigested food material. Abdominal pain may occur while passing stool. After passing stool there is weakness. A constant urge to pass stool is felt. Itching and stabbing pain may be felt near the anus.
3. Sulfur – For sudden bowel movements in the morning
Sulfur is a prominently indicated medicine for cases where the sudden urge to defecate is clearly visible in the morning. The urgent desire to defecate drives the person out of bed and makes him/her rush to defecate. The stool is watery, brown or green in color, foamy and has an unpleasant or sour odor. It may contain greenish or bloody mucus. When passing stools, a sharp pain in the lower abdomen may be felt. The stool may pass involuntarily as gas escapes. There is pain and burning sensation in the rectum. The anus may also be red and itchy.
4. Podophyllum – With greenish/yellow watery, copious stools
Podophyllum is an effective medicine to treat cases of sudden defecation with greenish, watery and copious stools. The stool is offensive and disappears in a stream (suddenly with great force). The stool may contain white slimy or greenish mucus. The stool may also be bloody. Pain in the abdomen may occur before passing stool. In addition, nausea and gurgling in the abdomen may occur before bowel movements. Pain or warmth is felt in the rectum while passing stool. There is cutting pain in the abdomen and excessive weakness. In some cases, prolapse of the anus may occur when passing stool.
5. Carbo Veg – With excessive gas and bloating in the abdomen
Carbo Veg is a very beneficial medicine for the immediate urge to pass stool along with excessive gas and bloating in the abdomen. In cases where this medicine is required, the stool is watery and has an excessive foul odor. In some cases, blood may appear in the stool. A pressure is felt in the rectum, along with pain, which may be stabbing or cutting in nature. Burning can also occur in the rectum. The abdomen is distended with gas, burning and sour burps. Cramps may occur in the stomach. In some cases, there is a sudden urge to pass stool, but only gas is released. Gas has an unpleasant odor. In addition to the above complaints, weakness and anxiety may be present.
6. Natrum Sulph – With sudden urgency for stool with gas passage
Natrum Sulph is an important medicine for cases where there is a sudden urge to pass stool along with the passage of gas. The stool disappears in a stream. The stool may be slimy or sometimes bloody. It has a bad smell. Feces can be released involuntarily during urination or gas. Pain may be felt on the right side of the abdomen due to gas. A burning sensation may be felt in the abdomen. Heaviness is also experienced in the stomach. There may be loss of appetite and weakness.
7. Ferrum Met – For sudden, painless bowel movements without any odor
This medicine is useful in cases where there is an immediate urge to pass stool without any pain or bad odor. The stool often occurs after eating or drinking something. It is accompanied by gas. The stool is loose. Vomiting may occur shortly after eating. A burning sensation is felt at the anus. In addition to the above symptoms, the abdomen feels hard and swollen. Moreover, one feels weak.