Proctitis occurs when the lining of the rectum, called the rectal mucosa, is inflamed. Proctitis can be classified as short term (acute) or long term (chronic) proctitis. This disorder may be caused by side effects of medical treatments, such as radiation therapy or antibiotics. Sexually transmitted diseases such as gonorrhea, herpes, and chlamydia may also cause proctitis.
Inflammation of the rectal mucosa may be related to ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, autoimmune conditions that cause inflammation in the colon or small intestine. Other causes include rectal injury, bacterial infection, allergies, and malfunction of the nerves in the rectum.
Proctitis Symptoms
The most common symptom of an inflamed rectum is a frequent or continuous sensation or urge to have a bowel movement.
Other symptoms include
Diagnosis
Physicians diagnose proctitis by looking inside the rectum with a proctoscope or a sigmoidoscope. A biopsy (a tiny piece of tissue from the rectum) may be removed and tested for diseases or infections. A stool sample may also reveal infecting bacteria. If the physician suspects Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, colonoscopy or barium enema x rays may be used to examine areas of the intestine.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause of proctitis. For example, the physician may prescribe antibiotics for proctitis caused by bacterial infection. If the inflammation is caused by Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, the physician may recommend the drug 5-aminosalicyclic acid (5ASA) or corticosteroids applied directly to the area in enema or suppository form, or taken orally in pill form.
Enema and suppository applications are usually more effective, but some patients may require a combination of oral and rectal applications.
Recommended Readings
Source: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) (March 2005). Proctitis (NIH Publication No. 05–4627). Retrieved February 27, 2008, from The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Web site: http://www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/proctitis/index.htm
This Page Last Revised: August 26, 2011
Inflammation of the rectal mucosa may be related to ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease, autoimmune conditions that cause inflammation in the colon or small intestine. Other causes include rectal injury, bacterial infection, allergies, and malfunction of the nerves in the rectum.
Proctitis Symptoms
The most common symptom of an inflamed rectum is a frequent or continuous sensation or urge to have a bowel movement.
Other symptoms include
constipation
a feeling of fullness of the rectum
pain on the left side of the abdomen
passage of mucus through the rectum
bleeding in the rectum (rectal bleeding)
anorectal pain
Diagnosis
Physicians diagnose proctitis by looking inside the rectum with a proctoscope or a sigmoidoscope. A biopsy (a tiny piece of tissue from the rectum) may be removed and tested for diseases or infections. A stool sample may also reveal infecting bacteria. If the physician suspects Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, colonoscopy or barium enema x rays may be used to examine areas of the intestine.
Treatment
Treatment depends on the cause of proctitis. For example, the physician may prescribe antibiotics for proctitis caused by bacterial infection. If the inflammation is caused by Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, the physician may recommend the drug 5-aminosalicyclic acid (5ASA) or corticosteroids applied directly to the area in enema or suppository form, or taken orally in pill form.
Enema and suppository applications are usually more effective, but some patients may require a combination of oral and rectal applications.
Recommended Readings
Source: National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC) (March 2005). Proctitis (NIH Publication No. 05–4627). Retrieved February 27, 2008, from The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), National Institutes of Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Web site: http://www.digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/proctitis/index.htm
This Page Last Revised: August 26, 2011
