Proctitis

What is Proctitis?

Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of the rectum. The lining of the rectum is called the rectal mucosa. Proctitis can be short term or long term.

What Causes Proctitis?

Proctitis has many causes. It may be a side effect of medical treatments like radiation therapy or antibiotics. Proctitis may also be caused by ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and sexually transmitted diseases.

Other causes of proctitis include rectal injury, bacterial infection, allergies, and malfunction of the nerves in the rectum.

What are the Symptoms of Proctitis?

The most common symptom of proctitis is a frequent or continuous sensation or urge to have a bowel movement. Other symptoms of proctitis include:

• constipation
• fever
• a feeling of rectal fullness
• left-sided abdominal pain
• passage of mucus through the rectum
• rectal bleeding
• sore rectum
• pain during a bowel movement
• anorectal pain

How is Proctitis Diagnosed?

Physicians diagnose proctitis by looking inside the rectum with a proctoscope or a sigmoidoscope. A tiny piece of tissue from the rectum may be removed and tested for diseases or infections.

Can Proctitis be Treated?

Yes. Treatment depends on the cause of proctitis. Some common treatments include antibiotics, corticosteroids, the drug 5-aminosalicyclic acid and in severe cases, surgery.

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