Rectal Inflammation Symptoms and Treatment

Written by Si Li Li
Gastroenterology
Updated on January 28, 2025
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The main symptoms of proctitis include abdominal pain, diarrhea, or the presence of white mucus in the stool. A colonoscopy can reveal hyperemia, edema, erosion, or mucus adhesion on the rectal mucosa, leading to a diagnosis of chronic proctitis. For treatment, oral probiotics can be used to adjust the intestinal flora, helping to alleviate symptoms and treat the disease. Additionally, combining traditional Chinese medicine diagnosis and treatment methods, oral herbal medicine can be used. External treatments in Chinese medicine, such as herbal enemas or hydrotherapy, can also be effective for chronic proctitis. These methods allow the herbs to directly reach and contact the lesion surface, acting directly on the affected colon mucosa for a more targeted treatment.

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Written by Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Can I eat pineapple with colitis?

If you have colitis, try to eat less pineapple, as this food is relatively stimulating. Consuming it can irritate the intestinal mucosa, leading to congestion and edema of the intestinal mucosa, and aggravate colitis. Pineapple also has the effect of moisturizing the intestines and facilitating bowel movements, leading to an increase in the frequency of bowel movements which can worsen colitis. Therefore, patients with chronic colitis should pay attention to a light diet, avoid cold melons and fruits, and avoid fruits like pineapple. Bananas can also lubricate the intestines, leading to an increase in bowel movements, so they should also be avoided. Instead, you can eat some warm, easily digestible, and non-irritating foods to the intestines.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Is rectitis hemorrhoids?

Proctitis and hemorrhoids have fundamental differences. Proctitis is an inflammation that occurs in the rectum and its mucosa, related to infection by pathogens. Typical symptoms include diarrhea and abdominal pain, with severe cases presenting mucus or pus and bloody stools. Hemorrhoids, on the other hand, are caused by the distension of hemorrhoidal veins; internal hemorrhoids lead to bleeding after bowel movements, and external hemorrhoids cause significant pain. Proctitis is generally treated with medications or can also be managed with enemas. Hemorrhoids are mainly treated with medications that reduce bleeding and medications that treat the hemorrhoids, and they can also be treated surgically. (Medication use should be supervised by a doctor.)

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Can proctitis cause discomfort in the rectum?

As to whether proctitis will cause discomfort in the rectum, it depends on the specific situation. If it is only mild proctitis, generally, it does not cause discomfort for the patient. However, if the proctitis is severe and accompanied by conditions such as rectal ulcers, rectal discomfort is likely to occur, and the patient may experience symptoms such as pain and a sense of urgency followed by incomplete defecation. In severe cases, fever may also occur. Once a patient develops proctitis, it is advised to promptly complete an electronic colonoscopy examination. If necessary, tissue should be taken for a pathological biopsy to rule out the possibility of malignant tumors in the rectum.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Will rectal inflammation make it painful to defecate?

Whether defecation causes anal pain in proctitis requires specific analysis. If the symptoms of proctitis are mild, defecation might not necessarily result in anal pain. If proctitis is accompanied by ulcers or infections, resulting in severe inflammation of the rectum, and if there are also anal fissures, defecation might cause anal pain. Regarding the severity of proctitis, it’s important to promptly conduct thorough examinations such as a digital rectal exam or an anoscopy to confirm the diagnosis, and adopt appropriate treatment measures based on the severity.

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Written by Huang Gang
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What will happen if rectitis gets worse?

If proctitis worsens, it should be treated promptly through surgery. Surgical removal can help prevent spread and prolong life. After surgery, it is also necessary to kill cancer cells through radiotherapy and chemotherapy. If proctitis is not properly managed, frequent recurrences can lead to erosion and even ulcers, which can easily become cancerous. Therefore, regular follow-up colonoscopies are essential to monitor changes in the condition and assess whether there is a high or low chance of deterioration. After surgery, attention should also be paid to a bland diet, avoiding irritant foods.