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Proctitis is an inflammation of the rectum that causes discomfort, bleeding, and occasionally, a discharge of mucus or pus.
Alternative NamesInflammation - rectum; Rectal inflammation
Causes, incidence, and risk factorsThere are many causes of proctitis, but they can be grouped in the following categories:
- Autoimmune disease
- Harmful substances
- Non-sexually transmitted infection
- Sexually transmitted disease (STD)
Proctitis caused by STD is common among those who engage in anal intercourse. STDs that can cause proctitis include gonorrhea, herpes, chlamydia, and lymphogranuloma venereum.
Non-sexually transmitted infections causing proctitis are seen less often than STD proctitis. The classical example of non-sexually transmitted infection occurs in children and is caused by the same bacteria that cause strep throat.
Autoimmune proctitis is associated with diseases such as ulcerative colitisor Crohn's disease.
Proctitis may also be caused by certain medications, radiotherapy, and inserting harmful substances into the rectum.
Risk factors include:
- Autoimmune disorders
- High-risk sexual practices such as anal sex
- Bloody stools
- Constipation
- Rectal bleeding
- Rectal discharge, pus
- Rectal pain or discomfort
- Tenesmus (pain with bowel movement)
- Examination of stool sample
- Proctoscopy
- Rectal culture
- Sigmoidoscopy
Successful treatment of the underlying cause usually cures the problem. Proctitis caused by infection is treated with antibiotics.
Corticosteroids or mesalamine suppositories may relieve symptoms of some patients.
Expectations (prognosis)The probable outcome is good with treatment.
ComplicationsCalling your health care providerCall for an appointment with your health care provider if you have symptoms of proctitis.
PreventionSafer sex behaviors may prevent the disease from being spread during sexual activity.
ReferencesCoates WC. Disorders of the anorectum. In: Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, et al, eds. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Mosby Elsevier; 2009:chap 94.
Czito BG, Willett CG. Radiation injury. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 39.
Giannella RA. Infectious enteritis and proctocolitis and bacterial food poisoning. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 107.
Osterman MT, Lichtenstein GR. Ulcerative colitis. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger & Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 9th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2010:chap 112.
Reviewed ByReview Date: 04/17/2011
Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Medical Director, MEDEX Northwest Division of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Washington, School of Medicine; George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program, San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
What else can I help you with?
What is the pronosis for proctitis?
Proctitis caused by bacteria is curable with antibiotics. Genital herpes is not curable. Although symptoms can be suppressed, proctitis may reoccur.
Can proctitis lead to aids?
No, AIDS is caused by infection with HIV. Proctitis, while not pleasant, is an infection, usually bacterial, of the prostate.
Who is most likely to get proctitis?
Proctitis affects mainly adolescents and adults. It is most common in men around age 30.
What is the medical term meaning inflammation of the anus and rectum?
Proctitis is the medical term meaning inflammation of the rectum and anus
What are the signs of proctitis?
Discharge of blood and mucus and intense pain in the area of the rectum and anus are all signs of proctitis. Patients feel the urge to have frequent bowel movements
Is there a specific diet that a person should be on if they have ulcerative proctitis?
A defined diet is advisable for treatment of ulcerative proctitis, although no scientific study has proven it. Most people with UP know which foods causes a flare.
How can proctitis be prevented?
Proctitis is best prevented by using condoms and practicing safer sex to prevent acquiring sexually transmitted diseases. Avoiding anal intercourse also helps prevent damage to the rectum.
What does the medical abbreviation UP mean?
UP may stand for ulcerative proctitis.
Where can I look online for more information about ulcerative proctitis.?
Ulcerative proctitis is a chronic desease of the rectum. It causes inflamation and ulcers on the lining of the colon. The website for Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America(www.ccfa.org) is a great place to go for information on this disease.
What is proctisa?
Proctitis: Inflammation of the rectum. This may be due to a considerable number of causes, among them infectious agents and ulcerative colitis.Infectious proctitis is often due to agents such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrheae (the bacteria that causes gonorrhea) and herpes simplex virus that can be acquired during receptive anoreceptive intercourse.Proctitis is a hallmark of ulcerative colitis, an inflammatory bowel disease of unknown origin. In fact, the rectum is always involved in ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitis limited to the rectum is called ulcerative proctitis. (The inflammation may also extend into the upper parts of the colon). Intermittent rectal bleeding, crampy abdominal pain and diarrhea that wax and wane are characteristic consequences of ulcerative colitis.The word proctitis comes from the Greek proktos meaning the hindparts or anus + the ending -itis meaning inflammation.http://www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=7372Hope this helps.
How is proctitis diagnosed?
It is confirmed by a proctoscopy (examination of the rectum with an endoscope inserted through the anus). Proctoscopy usually shows a red, sore, inflamed lining of the rectum.
Can bacteria infection be in the rectum?
Yes, bacterial infections can occur in the rectum. Common examples include bacterial proctitis, which is inflammation of the rectal lining caused by bacterial infection, and sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea that can affect the rectum. These infections can cause symptoms such as rectal pain, discharge, and bleeding.
