Proctitis symptoms
Proctitis is an inflammatory process of the rectal mucosa. Located in the lower part of the digestive tract, the rectum connects the large intestine and the anus, where the feces come out of the body. Inflammation can occur due to various causes;symptoms vary depending on the cause and strength of the inflammation. Proctitis is usually well treatable, except for cases caused by genital herpes, since there is currently no remedy for herpes. However, in this case, treatment can ease symptoms, and seizures usually become more moderate after a while.
• Inflammation, an intestine that can affect most of the lower digestive tract, can cause proctitis.
• Bacterial or viral infection, including dysentery, gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and genital herpes, can cause proctitis.
• Anal communication, damage to the anus or rectum, as well as sexually transmitted infections can lead to a proctitis.
• Proctitis may appear on the background of injuries, diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, venereal and other diseases, often found in male homosexuals.
• Rare proctitis causes include tuberculosis, amebiasis and tissue damage due to radiation.
• The cause of proctitis is sometimes unknown.
• Painful frequent intestinal work.
• Stress in the intestines.
• Pain in the rectum, itching and spasms.
• Bloody, filled with pus or mucus, discharge.
• Constipation or diarrhea.
• Fever.
• Bubbles or open wounds inside or around the anus and in the rectum( due to a bacterial or viral infection).
• Pain in the lower back, difficulty in urinating and impotence( due to genital herpes).
On examination, the doctor uses a special device - rectoscope - to examine the rectum. In the course of laboratory analyzes, the types of bacteria that destroy the mucosa are determined. For a more voluminous picture appoint endoscopy, radiography.
• Your doctor can perform a proctoscopy by inserting a fibroscope through the anus to examine the rectum.
• Proctoscopy can be used to biopsy tissues lining the large intestine.
• Make a blood test for syphilis if it is suspected that the proctitis is sexually transmitted.
• Analyze the culture of bacteria from mucus or pus.
Depending on the causes and individual characteristics of the body, rectal ulcers either respond easily to treatment, or recur and require a more serious approach.
Because the cause of inflammation of the rectum, the guts are those or other types of pathogenic bacteria, usually treated with antibiotics. In the case of radiation proctitis, corticosteroids are used in the form of foam or enema. In cases where it is not possible to determine exactly which bacteria caused the inflammation, hydrocortisone, mesalacine is prescribed. All preparations can be administered in the form of solutions with enemas or in the form of suppositories. In rare cases, these drugs can be taken in the form of tablets.
• To cure bacterial infections, prescribe antibiotics that must be taken for the entire prescribed period.
• Corticosteroid suppositories or mesalamine( suppositories or oral tablets) may be prescribed to treat a proctitis caused by inflammation of the intestine.
• Herpes treatment is aimed at alleviating the symptoms. An antiviral drug, acyclovir, can be prescribed for topical use to reduce the strength of the disease and pain, and in oral form, to reduce the length and frequency of seizures.
• Over-the-counter pain relievers can be taken to reduce pain and inflammation.
• Frequent warm baths can ease discomfort in the rectum.
• Use latex condoms during sexual intercourse to reduce the risk of sexually transmitted diseases.
• Consult a doctor if you experience discomfort or pain in the rectum or if the bowel work has become difficult, painful, or you have a stool with blood.
• Prophylaxis of acute proctitis - timely treatment of acute colitis, dysentery and other intestinal infections, hemorrhoids, venereal diseases, control of constipation, etc.(However, one should be aware that the abuse of enemas, candles and laxatives alone irritates the rectum and can cause acute proctitis.)