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Proctitis
Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of the rectum, called the
rectal mucosa. Proctitis can be short term (acute) or long term
(chronic).
Causes
Proctitis has many causes. It may be a side effect of
medical treatments like radiation therapy or antibiotics. Diseases
like ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, and sexually transmitted
diseases may also cause proctitis. Other causes include rectal injury,
bacterial infection, allergies, and malfunction of the nerves in the
rectum.
Symptoms of proctitis
The most common symptom is a frequent or continuous sensation or urge
to have a bowel movement. Other symptoms include constipation, a
feeling of rectal fullness, left-sided abdominal pain, passage of
mucus through the rectum, rectal bleeding, and anorectal pain.
Diagnosis of proctitis
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.
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 or taken in pill form.
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