Proctitis
- Proctitis Overview
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Proctitis Overview
Proctitis is defined as inflammation of your anus (the opening) and lining of your rectum (lower part of the intestine leading to the anus). Symptoms can vary greatly. You may at first have only minor problems. Proctitis affects the last 6 inches of the rectum and can cause the following:
- Soreness in your anal and rectal area
- Feeling that you didn't completely empty your bowels after a bowel movement
- Involuntary spasms and cramping during bowel movements
- Bleeding, and possibly a discharge
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Proctitis
Rectal Pain Overview
Rectal pain is a common problem. Most people have experienced it at least once in their lifetime. It usually appears as a mild discomfort, but sometimes the pain can be so severe that it is incapacitating.
Rectal Pain Causes
Many conditions can cause rectal pain. Most of these are not serious.
Common causes of rectal pain include:
- Hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids (painful swelling of a vein or veins at the anus) are a common problem affecting up to 25% of American adults. They are usually caused by straining during bowel movements. Heavy lifting and childbirth are also common causes.
- Anal fissure: An anal fissure is a small tear in the skin at the opening of the rectum. It is caused when a large, hard stool is passed, with excessive stretching of the anus. This problem can also occur in people whose anal sphincter tone (the muscle that controls the anal ...
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Proctitis »
Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of the rectum, called the rectal mucosa.
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