Proctitis

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Digestive system

Rectum

Overview

Symptoms

Treatment

Prevention

Proctitis

Alternative Names:

Inflammation - rectum; Rectal inflammation

Treatment:

Successful treatment of the underlying cause usually cures the problem. Proctitis caused by infection is treated with antibiotics specific for the causative organism. Corticosteroids or mesalamine suppositories may relieve symptoms in Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis.

Expectations (prognosis):

The probable outcome is good with treatment.

Complications:

Severe bleeding
Anemia
Recto-vaginal fistula (women)
Anal fistula

Calling your health care provider:

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if symptoms of proctitis develop.

Review Date: 8/2/2005
Reviewed By: Courtney W. Houchen, M.D., Division of Gastroenterology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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