Proctitis in adults

What is proctitis

Proctitis is one of the inflammatory bowel diseases. In terms of prevalence, they are inferior to other diseases of the digestive system. But in terms of the number of complications and mortality, they occupy one of the first places in the world among all diseases of the gastrointestinal tract.

Inflammation of the rectum is called proctitis. But this process may not be limited to this site.

With inflammation of the sigmoid colon – a section of the colon that passes into the rectum – the disease will be called proctosigmoiditis. Anusitis – if the inflammatory process has affected only the anus. If the inflammation has also spread to the adipose tissue around the rectum, this is paraproctitis.

The disease can occur both acutely and in a chronic form. There are no statistics on the prevalence of proctitis. They can get sick at any age, and women and men get sick equally often.

The rectum is the last section of the intestine. It is located in the pelvis and is surrounded by adipose tissue. The rectum is a small section, it starts from the sigmoid colon, soon ending in the anus. It is through the rectum that undigested food is excreted.

From this and such a structure of the rectum – the mucous membrane and muscles. They push the feces, and the mucosa secretes mucus, which serves as a kind of “lubrication”. In order to control the process of bowel movement, there are two sphincters. These muscular rings hold feces together when they contract and relax during a bowel movement.

Under the influence of various factors, the outer layer of the intestine can become inflamed. Inflammation of the rectum is painful, because there are many nerve endings in the mucous membrane. There are also a lot of veins under the mucus layer, so a little damage quickly leads to the release of blood.

Causes of proctitis in adults

There are many reasons for proctitis. Usually the disease causes a whole range of causes, and not any specific one.

Often, malnutrition leads to inflammation of the intestines: lack of a regimen, an excess of harmful, spicy, salty and fatty foods, an abundance of alcohol. This can also lead to constipation, which will provoke proctitis.

Often there are injuries of the rectum, the mucous layer is damaged and inflammation develops. This occurs after operations on the rectum, as well as too frequent enemas with aggressive solutions or liquids at the wrong temperature. It is possible to damage the mucous membrane during anal sex.

A common problem of the 21st century is the buildup of venous blood in the small pelvis from long sitting, lack of exercise. This is usually accompanied by constipation, in which dense feces injure the intestines.

Various parasites and bacteria also provoke proctitis. Intestinal infections, worms, Giardia, as well as infections of other organs, such as cystitis, lead to inflammation.

Sometimes the body “attacks” itself. This happens in autoimmune diseases, when the immune system attacks the cells in your body. There is also autoimmune proctitis in Crohn’s disease or amyloidosis.

Also, proctitis develops as a reaction to radiation therapy in the treatment of oncology. Intense irradiation of the pelvic area has a bad effect on the condition of the intestines.

Symptoms of proctitis in adults

Most often, proctitis begins acutely. A person experiences discomfort, burning and itching in the rectum. The feeling of heaviness does not disappear during bowel movements, but rather intensifies. The pain increases – first in the rectum, and then spreads to the perineum or back.

With the development of inflammation, the sick feel more and more frequent urge to defecate. At the same time, they are often “unsuccessful” – only mucus is released, sometimes with blood. Constipation may alternate with diarrhea. The general condition also worsens – the person is shivering, the temperature rises.

During chronic proctitis, the symptoms are much paler. While the disease is in remission, only an admixture of mucus in the stool can speak of proctitis, and nothing more. During an exacerbation, discomfort increases, mild pain and burning appear, more often there are false urges to defecate.

With proctitis, treatment with rectal suppositories is widely used, sometimes of several types. Some have the ability to stop the blood, others relieve itching and pain. Also shown are therapeutic enemas with chamomile, sea buckthorn oil, baths with medicinal herbs. But these methods can be used only after a doctor’s prescription. Treatment with candles takes quite a long time – about 2 weeks.

Treatment of proctitis in adults

There are many types of proctitis: depending on the causes, duration of the course, etc. But in absolutely all cases, patients are shown a strict diet, which is prescribed by a doctor. Patients with proctitis should spend as little time as possible in a sitting position to avoid blood stasis. After the acute phase has passed, it is necessary to perform physical exercises to improve blood circulation.

Pain in the abdomen is relieved by antispasmodics, and with heaviness in the abdomen, flatulence and other symptoms, special drugs help to fight. They reduce gas formation and the feeling of “bursting” becomes less.

Diagnostics

The doctor interviews the patient, examines the anus and conducts a digital examination. Stool tests are prescribed – it is examined for the presence of worms, bacteria, and various inclusions. If there is an infection, further studies are carried out – they determine which antibiotic the bacteria are sensitive to, so that the treatment is most effective.

Rectoscopy is also used. I do a cleansing enema to the patient, and then a rectoscope is inserted – a tube with an eyepiece and a light bulb. This allows you to examine the intestinal mucosa, pick up a piece of the shell for research. For a better view, the intestines are slightly inflated with air, which is rather unpleasant, but tolerable.

Modern treatments

If symptoms occur, you should consult a doctor. Proctitis is dealt with by a proctologist, but you can also contact a general practitioner and a gastroenterologist. Usually treatment is carried out at home, but in severe cases (if an ulcer has developed, etc.), hospitalization is required.

Treatment of proctitis will depend on the causes of the disease. What works for one patient will almost certainly not work for another, because the history of the disease will vary.

If bacteria or helminths have caused proctitis, it is most effective to deal with them with medication. After determining the sensitivity of the flora, antibiotic therapy is prescribed. From worms – anthelmintic drugs.

The most difficult to treat is autoimmune proctitis, in which the immune system attacks the cells of the body. Glucocorticoids act systemically – they are artificial hormones. They inhibit inflammation and suppress the immune system. Often this is the only way to suppress its excess activity.

Prevention of proctitis in adults at home

Everything we eat passes through the intestines, so proper nutrition is the best prevention. Avoid fatty, salty, pickled foods, do not get carried away with spices and alcohol.

It is important to observe hygiene, use barrier contraception in intimate relationships. Otherwise, there is a risk of bacteria getting from the genital area to the anus area, where they will cause inflammation. Also avoid damage to the rectum.

You can’t self-administer enemas and do them too often. Also avoid long sitting and lying down, perform a minimum of exercises even in a serious condition.

Popular questions and answers

Many patients miss proctitis at an early stage, when it responds well to treatment. What to do so that the disease does not develop further, we learn from surgeon of the highest category, proctologist, Ph.D. Vasily Gavrilov.