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# Proctitis

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## Definition & Facts

Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of the rectum. Proctitis may be acute or chronic. Experts have identified several types of proctitis, including proctitis in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), infectious proctitis, radiation proctitis or radiation proctopathy, and diversion proctitis.

## Symptoms & Causes

Common symptoms of proctitis include tenesmus; diarrhea or constipation; pain; and passing blood, mucus, or pus with your stool. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), infections, radiation therapy, and ostomy surgery of the bowel are common causes of proctitis.

## Diagnosis

Doctors will ask about your medical history, perform a physical exam, and order tests to diagnose proctitis and find the cause. Tests for proctitis may include blood tests, stool tests, a rectal culture, and endoscopy tests such as colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy.

## Treatment

Doctors may recommend medicines to treat proctitis caused by inflammatory bowel disease or infections, medicines or endoscopy procedures to treat radiation proctopathy, or surgery to treat diversion proctitis. Doctors may also recommend surgery if proctitis leads to complications or if other treatments don’t work.

## Clinical Trials

The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) conducts and supports clinical trials in many diseases and conditions, including digestive diseases. The trials look to find new ways to prevent, detect, or treat disease and improve quality of life.

## Related Diagnostic Tests

                - Colonoscopy
                - Flexible Sigmoidoscopy

## Related Conditions & Diseases

                - Crohn’s Disease
                - Ulcerative Colitis

## Your Digestive System & How it Works

The digestive system is made up of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract—also called the digestive tract—and the liver, pancreas, and the gallbladder. The GI tract is a series of hollow organs joined in a long, twisting tube from the mouth to the anus.

## Related Research

See more about digestive diseases research at NIDDK.

*Next:*                Definition & Facts            

        This content is provided as a service of the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases(NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. NIDDK translates and disseminates research findings to increase knowledge and understanding about health and disease among patients, health professionals, and the public. Content produced by NIDDK is carefully reviewed by NIDDK scientists and other experts.

The NIDDK would like to thank:Brooks D. Cash, M.D., University of Texas McGovern Medical School