The rectum belongs to the lower intestinal system.
Due to the nature of its location, it is quite often exposed to various diseases.
Consider in more detail the symptoms of rectal inflammation, causes, as well as methods of treating this ailment.
Inflammation of the rectum: causes
The following causes can cause inflammation of the rectum:
1. Strong hypothermia of the body.
2. Previously transferred radiation therapy.
3. Various digestive diseases that are not treated (ulcer, colitis, dysbiosis, etc.).
4. Sexually transmitted infections (chlamydia, syphilis, herpes, etc.).
5. Damage to the intestines when performing improper prostate massage in men or after an enema is established.
6. Crack in the anus or untreated hemorrhoids.
7. Disorders of the stool (frequent constipation, diarrhea).
8. Damage to staphylococci or Escherichia coli can cause inflammation in neighboring organs, for example, the rectum.
9. Tuberculosis. In this case, the infection enters the rectum along with the bloodstream or through cracks in the skin. In this condition, ulcers begin to form in the rectum, and it becomes inflamed.
10. Proctitis (gonorrheal form) can pass into the rectum through the vagina in women.
11. Damage to the rectum during non-traditional sexual contacts (anal sex).
12. Recently transferred surgery on the rectum, which contributed to trauma and infection in the intestine. This can cause severe inflammation.
13. Injury of the intestinal cavity with fecal masses, in which fish bones and other hard and sharp food residues can be caught.
14. Inflammation of the intestine as a result of a birth injury (occurs after rupture of the vagina or with severe straining during childbirth).
15. Improper nutrition. This item includes the frequent use of spicy and fatty foods, spices, seasonings, various hot sauces and carbonated drinks. Also, an important role is played by the intake of alcoholic beverages, which strongly irritate the rectal mucosa.
In addition to the main reasons, such diseases can cause inflammation of this gut:
1. Hepatitis (viral, drug or toxic). With this disease, the liver is affected, which begins to produce special acids. They impair digestion, provoke bloating and greatly irritate the rectum.
2. Cirrhosis is a disease that also affects the liver. It leads to the death of cells of this organ and is negatively displayed on all body systems.
3. Cholecystitis is a disease in which the gall bladder is highly inflamed. Because of this, a failure occurs in the digestive system, and the rectum can become inflamed.
Inflammation of the rectum: symptoms and signs
Inflammation of the rectum or proctitis can have two forms of course: acute and chronic. Each of them is accompanied by its own symptoms.
Acute proctitis has the following symptoms:
1. Pain in the rectum, which can give to the lower abdomen. Usually it is acute and intensifies even more after bowel movements.
2. Bloating.
3. Discomfort and a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen.
4. The appearance of blood from the rectum.
5. An increase in body temperature.
6. The appearance of aching pain in the lower back and perineum.
7. Weakness and loss of performance.
8. Anorexia and headaches.
9. Frequent urge to defecate, accompanied by pain.
As a rule, the above symptoms of acute inflammation of the rectum develop in 1-2 days.
A completely different clinical picture of chronic proctitis. It is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
1. Mild pains in the rectum, which have a wave-like course (there are periods of exacerbations and the time of the monotonous course of the disease).
2. The appearance of severe itching and burning in the anus.
3. A slight increase in body temperature, which indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
4. The appearance of purulent discharge from the rectum indicates the progression of infection.
5. Anemia can develop due to depletion of the body, as well as blood loss during bowel movements.
6. Loss of appetite and poor digestion (frequent constipation or diarrhea).
The chronic form of proctitis develops as a result of untreated or not completely eliminated acute inflammation of the rectum. In this condition, a person will need a longer and more difficult therapeutic therapy.
Moreover, it is chronic proctitis that is considered the most dangerous, since it can provoke the development of serious complications in the patient's condition.
Inflammation of the rectum: diagnosis and treatment
When the first signs of the disease appear, consult a doctor. After examining the patient and collecting an anamnesis, the doctor will prescribe such studies:
1. Clinical blood tests.
2. Analysis of feces.
3. Ultrasound.
4. Rectomanoscopy.
Treatment of proctitis depends on the form and complexity of the disease, test results, as well as general symptoms and the presence of chronic pathologies in the patient.
Traditional therapy involves the following:
1. Compliance with bed rest and a complete rejection of alcohol.
2. Compliance with a strict diet. In such medical nutrition, the patient should refuse to use the following products:
• coffee;
• animal fats;
• salt and sugar (also confectionery);
• White bread;
• beans and cabbage;
• plums;
• sausages;
• spicy and fried foods;
• sweet carbonated drinks;
• salty fish;
• smoked meats;
• milk.
The basis of the diet should be the following products:
• dried fruits and decoctions of them;
• vegetable soups;
• vegetable stew;
• dairy products;
• decoctions of fruits;
• green tea;
• porridge;
• boiled meat or fish;
• seafood.
3. The patient is recommended to adjust his diet (eat at the same time, do not overeat, consume small portions). Also indigestible food (meat for example) should be served in crushed form.
4. Drug treatment involves the appointment of antibiotics to eliminate the infection. The duration of therapy with such drugs is selected individually for each patient, depending on the causative agent of the disease. The most effective drugs in this group are such antibiotics:
• Metronidazole;
• Cephalosporins;
• Penicillin;
• Chloramphenicol.
5. With severe spasms and pain, antispasmodics (No-shpa) are prescribed.
6. With severe inflammation, corticosteroids and hormonal drugs in the form of rectal suppositories and gels are used (Relief). With their help, pain, inflammation and itching can be eliminated.
7. It is very important in the treatment of proctitis to do sedentary baths with the addition of potassium permanganate and a decoction of medicinal herbs (chamomile, St. John's wort). They will help relieve inflammation and eliminate the infection.
8. In chronic proctitis, it is useful to put microclysters with sea buckthorn oil.
In the absence of a positive effect of traditional therapy, the patient may be prescribed surgical treatment.
Inflammation of the rectum: treatment, complications, prevention
In the absence of timely treatment, inflammation in the rectum can cause the following complications:
1. Lower immunity.
2. The development of anemia and chronic pain during bowel movements.
3. Severe digestion.
4. Inflammation of the tissues that surround the rectum.
5. The development of oncological pathology in the rectum.
6. The formation of rectal fistulas through which pus begins to flow.
7. The transition of the disease into a chronic form.
8. The narrowing of the intestine due to scarring.
9. Violation of patency of feces in the rectum.
To reduce the risk of developing this pathology, you should adhere to such medical recommendations:
1. To give up smoking and drinking alcohol.
2. Avoid stress and nervous strain.
3. It is imperative that you use a condom when having sex. It is also important to have one regular partner.
4. Eat properly and avoid eating excessively fatty and spicy foods.
5. Timely treat those diseases that can cause inflammation of the rectum.
6. Do not self-medicate and when the first symptoms appear, visit a doctor.
7. Twice a year, do a prophylactic examination. An abdominal ultrasound is also advisable.
8. Avoid severe hypothermia.
9. Do not eat in fast food places where you can easily pick up E. coli.
