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 Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
1min 3sec home-news-image

"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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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Does proctitis require surgery?

Proctitis is a common clinical disease that can be asymptomatic or can present with recurrent discomfort symptoms such as abnormal stool, displaying characteristics like loose stool texture, increased frequency of defecation, or digestive bleeding accompanied by fresh red blood along with abnormal stool. If there are no specific abdominal symptoms and the stool condition is manageable, generally, surgical treatment is not necessary. Instead, dietary adjustments and rest can be made, including appropriate medication when necessary. Medication options may include suppositories, such as mesalazine suppositories, and oral probiotics for adjustment. Therefore, if there are truly no space-occupying lesions and no issues found in colonoscopy, surgical treatment may not be required for proctitis. It is advised to manage with medication and further adjust with oral probiotics, so there is no need for worry. (Please follow a professional physician's guidance when using medications and do not self-medicate.)

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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 Huang Gang
Gastroenterology
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Can I eat eggs with colitis?

If you have colitis, you should pay attention to how eggs are prepared. You can eat steamed egg custard or boiled eggs, but avoid scrambled eggs, as they are too greasy and not easy to digest and absorb, which can increase the burden on the intestines and exacerbate the symptoms of colitis. If you suffer from colitis, you should avoid frequently consuming spicy, irritating, or overly greasy foods. Opt for a bland diet to prevent the condition from worsening. When the condition is severe, timely medication treatment is necessary, including mesalazine and Kangfuxin solution. Using Kangfuxin solution for enema can protect the intestinal mucosa and the medication works directly on the affected area, which is very effective. (Please use medication under the guidance of a doctor)

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Written by Wang Hui Jie
Gastroenterology
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Difference between colitis and rectal cancer

The differences between proctitis and rectal cancer are that under endoscopy, proctitis can present with patchy congestion, with or without mucus, and unclear vascular patterns. In contrast, rectal cancer can present with a protruding mass, which may have an uneven surface, cauliflower-like changes, and possibly congested erosion, among other conditions. It could also simply be a very superficial lesion, and the texture is often more brittle, possibly involving the entire circumference of the colon, preventing the passage of a colonoscope. Clinically, proctitis may present with symptoms such as increased frequency of bowel movements, incomplete evacuation, and sticky stools that may contain mucus. Rectal cancer, on the other hand, may present with symptoms such as bloody stools, positive fecal occult blood, abdominal pain, etc.