All That You Need to Know About Proctitis

One of the causes of rectal bleeding is Proctitis. This is a condition where in the lining tissue of the inner rectum gets inflamed. You may experience a constant urge to defecate if you are suffering from Proctitis. It can cause a lot of pain and discomfort every now and then.

Causes of Proctitis:

More often than not the cause behind Proctitis would be an underlying medical condition. Some such conditions include:

• STIs or Sexually Transmitted Infections
• IBD or Inflammatory Bowel Disease, such as ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease
• Anal Trauma caused by vigorous anal sex
• Injuries caused to the anus due to the use of sex toys or enemas
• Bacterial infections such as Shigella and Salmonella that may not be transmitted sexually
• Rectal infections that may occur after the use of antibiotics
• Radiation treatments taken for anal, rectal, prostate or Ovarian cancer

Common Symptoms of Proctitis:

Tenesmus or a constant urge to defecate is a main symptom of Proctitis. This is generally associated with irritation and inflammation of rectal lining and the rectum. Other symptoms include:

• Rectal bleeding
• Pain in anus, rectum, or the abdominal region
• Watery diarrhea or very loose stools
• Mucus or any other discharge from rectum

Treatment options for Proctitis:

There are various kinds of treatments that are aimed at reducing inflammation, treating infection, and controlling pain. However, the main cause behind Proctitis will have to be identified in order to manage the underlying conditions and relieve symptoms.

Sexually transmitted infections and other infections can be treated through proper medication. In case Proctitis is caused due to Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis, a surgery may be required.

• Medication: Different kinds of medication are prescribed to treat Proctitis. They include anti-inflammatory drugs like Corticosteroids that relieve pain and reduce inflammation. If the underlying cause is an infection or STI, antibiotics and antifungals may be prescribed.  Symptoms of autoimmune diseases such as Crohn’s disease can be treated using Immunosuppressants and biologics. The medication that you may require depends totally on your underlying condition and symptoms. While some of these medications may be taken orally, the others may be applied topically, delivered through enema or injected intravenously.
• Home Remedies: Taking Sitz baths on a regular basis can help relieve the symptoms of Proctitis to a great extent. Through this treatment you can deliver warm water directly to the externally inflamed area. You may find Sitz bath pans in any home health supply stores. Make sure the pan you select fits correctly over your toilet bowl.
• Surgery: In case you have Crohn’s disease or Ulcerative Colitis, you may need surgery to get rid of Proctitis. In severe cases, the damaged area will have to be removed completely in order to treat Proctitis.

Preventing Proctitis:

You can make a few adjustments to your lifestyle in order to prevent Proctitis. These include:

• Avoiding acidic, fatty or spicy foods and sticking to a soft bland diet.
• Replacing dairy products with alternative forms of milk if you are intolerant to lactose
• Drinking plenty of fluids to ease the passage of stool. However, you have to avoid coffee, tea, and caffeinated sodas.
• Tracking your symptoms regularly
• Using condoms while having sex to stay away from the risk of contracting STIs

In most cases Proctitis can be treated successfully with medications and lifestyle changes. However, in very rare cases there could be complications such as ulcers or abscesses in the rectum, severe rectal bleeding, or anemia. Make sure you report all your symptoms to your doctor to recover from Proctitis at the earliest.