What are the symptoms of colitis?

Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
Updated on September 03, 2024
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Proctitis is an inflammation that occurs in the mucosa of the rectum. Typical symptoms include abdominal pain, diarrhea, a feeling of heaviness around the anus, and urgency followed by a sensation of incomplete evacuation. More severe inflammation can also lead to the presence of mucus and bloody pus in the stool. Bleeding from the rectum is another typical symptom, with the amount of bleeding related to the severity of the inflammation. Severe inflammation can directly cause pain in the anus and rectum. Abdominal pain and diarrhea may alternate, and long-term proctitis can also lead to loss of appetite, weight loss, fever, nausea, and vomiting. It is necessary to promptly perform a colonoscopy to understand the severity of the lesions and actively provide symptomatic treatment.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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"Inflammatory changes in the rectum"

Inflammatory changes in the rectum are generally a diagnostic manifestation observed through electronic colonoscopy. Under electronic colonoscopy, these changes are often described as inflammation of the rectum, mainly characterized by congestion, edema, and pinpoint erosion of the rectal mucosa, among others. Generally, the symptoms are not very severe, and many patients who undergo electronic colonoscopy, after taking medications such as polyethylene glycol electrolyte powder for diarrhea, can exhibit inflammatory changes in the rectum. Once inflammatory changes in the rectum occur, it may be considered to treat them by orally administering medications that regulate the gut flora. If the patient presents with symptoms such as urgency, mucus-like stools, or pus and blood in the stools, treatment with sulfasalazine suppositories should be considered, and the specific choice of medication and dosage should be followed according to medical advice. (The use of medications should be under the guidance of a professional doctor.)

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Symptoms of proctitis

So, what are the common clinical symptoms of proctitis? Since the rectum is close to the anus, the symptoms are primarily manifested as diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating. Some patients experience alternating constipation and diarrhea. Generally, there is often mucus or blood in the stool, and there is usually a burning sensation in the anus during bowel movements. Additionally, due to the irritation from rectal secretions, eczema and itching around the anus can occur. Diagnosing proctitis is relatively easier compared to diagnosing pancolitis. Diagnosis is usually made through sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, and sometimes biopsies are needed for confirmation.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Treatment of proctitis

Proctitis is relatively common in clinical settings, especially in the department of gastroenterology. It generally presents as abdominal discomfort and abnormal bowel movements. Abdominal discomfort typically manifests as discomfort in the lower left abdomen, and abnormal bowel movements may include increased frequency and looser stool texture. The treatment of proctitis generally falls into two categories: general treatment and medication. General treatment includes maintaining smooth bowel movements, eating smaller meals more frequently, and ensuring that the stool remains soft. For medication, options include oral medications and topical treatments. Oral medications can soften stools, protect the intestinal mucosa, and control inflammation, among other effects. Topical medications may be chosen to protect the intestinal mucosa and prevent itching, and generally, they are quite effective, so patients need not worry too much.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can you eat garlic with proctitis?

Patients with proctitis can eat garlic, but they should also avoid consuming large amounts of garlic, as excessive garlic can easily irritate the rectum and exacerbate the inflammation. It is recommended that patients with proctitis eat foods that are easy to digest and non-irritating, such as white rice porridge and millet porridge. They should avoid spicy, irritating, and greasy foods. It is also necessary to quit smoking and drinking, and to avoid strong tea and coffee as much as possible. Patients with proctitis can take oral medications to regulate the intestinal flora for treatment; the choice of specific medications should be based on the doctor's clinical experience.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
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What are the symptoms of rectal polyps?

Rectal polyps due to proctitis are generally benign lesions, so the symptoms are not obvious. Some patients may have no specific symptoms and polyps are incidentally found during routine physical examinations or colonoscopies where proctitis is seen in conjunction with polyps. Of course, a small number of patients may experience abdominal discomfort and abnormal bowel movements. The abdominal discomfort generally focuses on the lower abdomen, or occurs sporadically in the lower left abdomen, and can manifest as bloating pain, dull pain, or an unexplained discomfort. The abnormality in bowel movements can be seen as stools being more liquid-like and frequent, with some patients having watery stools, but there are no symptoms of fever or bloody stools. Therefore, the symptoms of rectal polyps from proctitis are usually not obvious and can be further clarified through colonoscopic examination. If the rectal polyps are not large, periodic observation with colonoscopy every six months to a year may be advised. Of course, if the polyps grow larger or symptoms become pronounced, treatment through endoscopic removal may be chosen.