Inflammation of the rectum, characterized by blood in the stool, frequent urge to defecate but inability to do so, and sometimes diarrhea. It may be associated with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, or trauma, infection, or radiation may cause it.
Inflammation of the rectum. In some cases, proctitis is related to ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the lining of the colon). When the rectum is the only part of the colon to be inflamed, proctitis is more likely to be the result of a sexually transmitted disease (STD). Itching and pain in the rectum and around the anus and sometimes bleeding are the primary symptoms of proctitis caused by an STD. The treatment of proctitis depends on its underlying cause. Doctors generally prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs for proctitis. Treating STDs promptly is essential.
Inflammation of the rectum. Symptoms are bleeding, ineffectual straining to empty the bowels (tenesmus), and diarrhea. Proctitis is invariably present in ulcerative colitis and sometimes in Crohn’s disease, but may occur independently (idiopathic proctitis). Rarer causes include damage by irradiation (for example in radiation therapy for cervical cancer) or by lymphogranuloma venereum.
Inflammation of the rectum and anus that may be caused by sexually transmitted diseases (e.g., infections with herpes simplex virus, Neisseria gonorrhoeae. Chlamydia trachomatis, and others); radiation injury (e.g., after treatment of pelvic cancers); inflammatory bowel disease (e.g., ulcerative colitis); allergy; trauma; or ischemia.
Inflammation of the rectal region, resulting in discomfort, bleeding, and occasionally a discharge of mucus and pus. Proctitis is frequently associated with specific conditions like ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or dysentery. In instances where the inflammation is localized to the rectum, the root cause is often uncertain. Occasionally, proctitis is linked to gonorrhea or other sexually transmitted infections, particularly among male homosexuals. Uncommon origins of proctitis encompass tuberculosis, amoebiasis, and schistosomiasis.
Diagnosis involves the use of proctoscopy, which entails examining the rectum using a visual instrument. Occasionally, a biopsy, involving the collection of a tissue sample, is conducted concurrently. Addressing the root cause of the issue through appropriate treatment typically resolves the problem. In some cases, corticosteroid medications might help alleviate symptoms.