Proctitis

Rectal inflammation, called proctitis, happens when the lining of the rectum becomes irritated and sore. The rectum is the short, muscular tube that connects the colon to the outside of your body. It's where stool collects before it leaves the body.

Proctitis can cause several uncomfortable symptoms. These might include pain in the rectum, loose or watery stools (diarrhea), bleeding from the rectum, discharge from the rectum, and a constant urge to have a bowel movement even when your bowels are empty. These symptoms can last for a short time or become a long-term problem.

Proctitis is often linked to conditions like inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can also cause proctitis. In some cases, proctitis might be a side effect of radiation therapy used to treat certain cancers.

Proctitis is an inflammation of the rectum, the last part of your large intestine. Common signs and symptoms include:

• Frequent urge to poop: You might feel like you need to go to the bathroom often, even if your bowels aren't full.
• Rectal bleeding: Blood in your stool is a noticeable symptom. This could be bright red blood or mixed in with the stool.
• Mucus in your stool: Sometimes, you might notice a slimy or mucus-like substance passing through your rectum.
• Rectal pain: This pain can be felt directly in your rectum.
• Left-side abdominal pain: The inflammation can sometimes cause discomfort or pain in the lower left part of your belly.
• Feeling of fullness in your rectum: You might experience a feeling of pressure or fullness in your rectum, even when your bowels aren't full.
• Diarrhea: Loose or watery bowel movements are another possible symptom.
• Painful bowel movements: Passing stool might be painful, either during or after you have a bowel movement.

If you're experiencing these symptoms, it's important to talk to a doctor. They can diagnose the problem and recommend the best course of treatment.

See your doctor if you notice any problems with your rectum. Rectal inflammation, often called proctitis, can cause symptoms like pain, bleeding, or discomfort. Don't ignore these signs. Scheduling a visit with your healthcare provider is important to get a proper diagnosis and treatment plan.

Rectal inflammation, a condition where the lining of the rectum becomes irritated, can be caused by several things. Here are some common causes:

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are types of IBD. In about 30% of people with IBD, the inflammation extends to the rectum. These conditions cause long-term inflammation in the digestive tract.

• Infections: Certain infections can irritate the rectum. Sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as gonorrhea, herpes, and chlamydia, can lead to proctitis, especially in people who practice anal sex. Foodborne illnesses, like salmonella, shigella, and campylobacter, can also cause proctitis. These infections trigger inflammation in the rectal lining.

• Radiation Therapy: If radiation therapy is used to treat cancer in the rectum or nearby organs like the prostate, it can sometimes cause inflammation of the rectum. This is called radiation proctitis. It might start during treatment and last for months after, or even appear years later. Radiation damages the rectal tissue.

• Antibiotics: Antibiotics, while fighting infections, can sometimes disrupt the balance of good bacteria in your gut. This allows harmful bacteria, like Clostridium difficile, to grow in the rectum, causing irritation and inflammation. This is called antibiotic-associated proctitis.

• Surgical Procedures: Some types of colon surgery redirect the flow of stool to a new opening (stoma). This can sometimes lead to proctitis, which is called diversion proctitis. The change in stool flow can irritate the rectal lining.

• Food Allergies: In babies and young children, certain foods can trigger inflammation in the rectum. This might happen if they are given cow's milk or soy-based formulas, or if their mothers consume dairy products while breastfeeding. The baby's immune system reacts to the proteins in these foods.

• Eosinophilic Proctitis: This rare condition affects only young children (under 2 years old). It happens when a specific type of white blood cell, called an eosinophil, builds up in the rectal lining. The exact cause is unknown, but the immune system plays a role.

It's important to note that these are just some of the potential causes of rectal inflammation. If you experience symptoms like pain, discomfort, or changes in bowel habits, it's crucial to see a doctor for diagnosis and treatment. They can determine the underlying cause and recommend the appropriate care.

Proctitis, an inflammation of the rectum, can be caused by several things. Here are some of the factors that increase your chances of getting it:

• Unprotected Sex: Having unprotected sex, or sex with multiple partners, raises your risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). STIs can lead to proctitis. Using condoms consistently and correctly significantly lowers this risk. If you know your partner has an STI, the risk is even higher.

• Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD): Conditions like Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis are inflammatory bowel diseases. People with IBD are more likely to develop proctitis. This is because these diseases cause inflammation throughout the digestive tract, including the rectum.

• Radiation Therapy: If you've had radiation therapy near your rectum, for example, for cancer treatment in the rectum, vagina, ovaries, or prostate, you have a higher risk of proctitis. The radiation can damage the lining of the rectum, leading to inflammation.

Untreated or unresponsive proctitis can lead to several problems.

• Low Red Blood Cell Count (Anemia): If bleeding from your rectum continues, it can cause a condition called anemia. This happens because your body isn't producing enough red blood cells. Red blood cells carry oxygen throughout your body. Without enough, you might feel tired, dizzy, short of breath, have headaches, pale skin, and be more irritable.

• Sores (Ulcers): Ongoing inflammation in the rectum can create sores, called ulcers, on the lining of the rectum. These sores can be painful.

• Abnormal Connections (Fistulas): In some cases, the ulcers can go all the way through the wall of the rectum and intestines. This creates an abnormal passageway, called a fistula. A fistula can connect different parts of the intestines, the intestines to the skin, or the intestines to other organs like the bladder or vagina. This can cause a range of problems depending on where the fistula is located.

Proctitis is inflammation of the rectum. One way to lower your chances of getting proctitis is to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The best way to avoid STIs is to not have sex, especially anal sex.

However, if you do choose to have sex, here are ways to lower your risk:

• Limit your number of sexual partners: Having fewer partners means you're exposed to fewer potential STIs.
• Use a latex condom every time: Condoms are a very effective way to prevent the spread of many STIs during sexual contact. Make sure the condom is properly used and stored for best results.
• Be cautious about unusual symptoms: If someone has sores or unusual discharge around their genitals, it could be a sign of an STI. Don't have sex with anyone showing these signs.

If you're diagnosed with an STI, it's important to stop having sex until you've finished your treatment. Talk to your doctor to find out when it's safe to resume sexual activity. They can give you personalized advice based on your specific situation.

Diagnosing proctitis involves several tests and procedures to find the cause of the inflammation in the rectum. These tests help doctors understand the extent of the problem and identify any underlying issues.

Visual Examinations:

• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: A doctor inserts a thin, flexible tube (sigmoidoscope) into your rectum to examine the lower part of your colon, looking for any signs of inflammation or abnormalities. This is like a close-up look at the last section of your large intestine.

• Colonoscopy: A similar, longer tube (colonoscope) is used to examine the entire colon, from the rectum all the way through to the large intestine. This gives a broader view of the entire colon. Both procedures allow the doctor to see any problems and take small tissue samples (biopsies) for closer examination under a microscope.

Other Important Tests:

• Blood Tests: These tests can help detect signs of blood loss or infection, which can be associated with proctitis. Low red blood cell counts, for instance, might indicate bleeding.

• Stool Tests: A sample of your stool is collected and sent to a lab for analysis. This can help determine if a bacterial infection is causing the proctitis. Looking for specific bacteria or parasites in the stool can help identify the cause.

• Biopsy (tissue sample): During either the flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, the doctor may take small tissue samples (biopsies). These samples are sent to a lab to be examined under a microscope, which can help determine the exact cause of the inflammation.

• Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) Testing: If there's a possibility of an STI contributing to the proctitis, your doctor may take a sample of discharge from your rectum or urethra (the tube that carries urine out of your body). This sample will be tested to see if any STIs are present.

These tests work together to help your doctor understand the cause of your proctitis and develop the most appropriate treatment plan.