Proctitis, and other causes of rectal pain, is diagnosed and treated by the GI Division of Premier Medical Group. Proctitis is an inflammation of your anus and lining of your rectum. Typically the inflammation only affects the last 6 inches of the rectum and the symptoms can greatly vary. Proctitis can last a short time or become a chronic condition (last for weeks or months or longer). The condition can be uncomfortable, even painful, and can lead to bleeding or mucous discharge.
Proctitis is an inflammation of your anus and rectum including the lining of the rectal canal and underlying mucous membrane. Typically, the inflammation only affects the last 6 inches of the rectum. Some type of rectal pain is almost always involved especially during bowel movements, but the symptoms can vary greatly. Proctitis can last for a short time or become a chronic condition (lasting for weeks or months or longer). The condition can be uncomfortable, even painful, and can lead to bleeding or mucous discharge.
The most common causes of proctitis are ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, antibiotics, sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), non-STD infections, and radiation therapy.
The most common symptom of proctitis is an uncomfortable and frequent urge to have a bowel movement. Symptoms can vary. You may at first have only minor problems, such as tenderness in the anal region and mild irritation of the rectum. Your rectum could feel “full,” or you could be constipated. Other common symptoms include but are not limited to:
With sexually transmitted proctitis, you may have these symptoms:
Once treatment begins, acute proctitis shows marked improvement within a couple weeks, if not days. Sometimes, however, chronic proctitis may continue to show symptoms for several weeks, months, or even years. Typically, the likelihood of experiencing chronic proctitis depends on the cause. Chronic proctitis is much more likely when caused by ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease, for example, than an STD that responds well to treatment.
Even acute proctitis, particularly those caused by infection, may linger without the proper diagnosis and treatment. Both acute and chronic proctitis can present with symptoms that are milder or more severe in nature. It’s also true that some causes of proctitis can create very different timelines for symptoms to emerge. As previously mentioned, radiation therapy can cause proctitis within weeks of treatment or after a period of 9 months of more.
The diagnosis of proctitis is typically based on symptoms of the patient. If your health care provider suspects proctitis, he or she will first take complete medical history. It’s important to be honest with your health care provider about your sexual practices, high-risk behaviors, and the nature of your rectal pain and other symptoms. You will need to share your current and past medications, and family history. The exam will include abdominal exam, vital signs and a rectal exam. Other procedures may include:
From constipation to cancer, there are numerous conditions which may cause rectal pain, bloody bowel movements and/or abdominal cramping. Because the symptoms of proctitis can be mild or severe and varied in general, these conditions may mimic proctitis in one way or another.
Without any other symptoms, mild spotting of blood in the stool may be something relatively minor. However, many conditions which cause bloody bowel movements are quite serious or even life-threatening, and you should seek out immediate medical attention, especially when a considerable amount of blood is present.
Even when it comes to the basic symptoms of pain, soreness, cramping, and/or burning in the rectal area, there are other conditions that may need to be considered. Anusitis, for example, is inflammation that’s confined to the lining of the rectal canal, whereas proctitis includes inflammation of the rectum’s mucous membrane. Anusitis is almost always caused by diet, especially coffee, beer, citrus, and spicy foods. Rather than inflammation of the tissue, hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus or rectum which may cause pain, swelling, itching, and bleeding.
The treatment for proctitis will depend on its cause. The primary goal is to reduce inflammation, control symptoms, and eliminate infection, if there is one. The most important thing is to get the proper diagnosis and medical attention. Since the most common cause is STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) the doctor will prescribe a course of antibiotics. Sometimes there is more than one type of infection and you may need more than one type of medication; either way if infection is present with proctitis, antibiotics can be used to kill bacteria and antiviral medications can treat viral infections. You will be instructed to practice safe sex using condoms.
If you have Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis that is causing the proctitis, the treatment will be ongoing. This type of treatment generally includes medications that suppress the immune system, such as steroids. Your health care provider or gastroenterologist may also prescribe steroid suppositories. These will provide you some relief in your rectum. If you have diarrhea, the medications to control symptoms will be different. With proper medical attention, proctitis can be successfully treated.
Sometimes surgery is required, especially if the disease stems from a chronic illness. Your health care provider will refer you to a gastroenterologist, a specialist who deals with all the organs from the mouth to the anus.