Proctitis affects the rectum, whereas ulcerative colitis can affect the colon, the rectum, or both parts of the intestine.

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a form of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that affects the gastrointestinal tract. Proctitis is a type of UC.

Read this article to learn more about proctitis and UC, including risk factors, symptoms, and treatment.

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Proctitis is very common in UC, but doctors also associate it with other conditions.

Proctitis occurs when the tissue that lines the inner part of the rectum becomes inflamed. The rectum is a part of the digestive system that connects the colon to the anus and allows stool to pass to where the body will excrete it.

UC may also start in the rectum as proctitis, but it may developTrusted Source farther into the colon. Proctitis can be an acuteTrusted Source (short-term) or chronic (long-term) condition.

Causes of proctitis

Proctitis is usuallyTrusted Source a symptom of another underlying condition, such as:

Other possible causes include:

Symptoms of proctitis

Symptoms of proctitis include:

People who pass blood, mucus, or pus from the rectum or experience extreme abdominal pain should contact a doctor as soon as possible.

UC is a form of IBD. It is a chronic condition in which the lining of the colon, the rectum, or both becomes inflamed, causing ulcers to develop.

Causes of ulcerative colitis

Suspected causes of UC include genetics and environmental factors, such as bacteria and viruses that cause an immune reaction.

Risk factors for UC includeTrusted Source:

  • a family history of UC
  • smoking
  • Jewish heritage
  • use of certain medications, such as:
    • oral contraceptives
    • hormone therapy
    • NSAIDs

Symptoms of ulcerative colitis

Symptoms of UC include:

  • incontinence
  • urgent bowel movements
  • fatigue
  • increased frequency of bowel movements
  • mucus discharge
  • abdominal pain
  • fever
  • weight loss
  • diarrhea
  • blood in the stool

Doctors categorize a person’s condition and the type of UC they have based on how much of the colon or rectum is inflamed and affected.

The main difference between the two conditions is the area of the intestines that each condition affects. Proctitis is inflammation of the rectum, whereas other forms of UC affect different parts of the large intestine.

To determine whether a person has UC, a gastroenterologist may perform one or more of the following tests:

To diagnose proctitis, healthcare professionals will perform a flexible sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. These tests help determine whether a person has a form of IBD.

These tests are fairly invasive, but healthcare professionals will administer sedation through a small tube in the arm to help a person relax. Healthcare professionals usually perform this procedure in an outpatient setting.

In rare cases, people may:

  • have a reaction to the sedation
  • experience bleeding afterward
  • get a small tear in their bowels

The following tests can help identify the cause of proctitis:

  • Stool test: Healthcare professionals may use this test to help determine whether a bacterial infection is causing the proctitis.
  • Rectal culture exam: For this test, a healthcare professional inserts a cotton swab into the rectum to identify organisms that may be causing the condition.
  • Tests for STIs: These tests check whether a person has an STI, such as chlamydia or syphilis, to determine whether the infection is the cause of proctitis.

Currently, there is no medical cure for UC or proctitis. In severe cases, people may undergo surgery to remove their colon or rectum.

However, a person can try some lifestyle habits to help manage both conditions.

Diet

There is no universal diet for UC, as each person’s body reacts to food differently. However, general dietary tips include:

  • Eating a low fat diet: In a 2021 study, people with UC who consumed less fat on a low fat diet had decreased markers of inflammation. Find out which foods are low in fat.
  • Avoiding alcohol: The authors of a 2021 reviewTrusted Source noted that alcohol use can change the microbiome, resulting in intestinal inflammation.
  • Eating small meals: Eating five or six small meals instead of three larger ones is easier on the digestive tract and helps manage symptoms.
  • Being mindful of fiber: Dietary fiber may benefit some people with IBD. However, eating a low fiber diet can sometimes help improve symptoms during a flare-up.
  • Consuming juices: Fruit and vegetable juices that are high in vitamin C and vitamin K may help reduce symptoms. Find out the best juices for UC.
  • Keeping a food diary: Keeping track of the foods a person eats and the symptoms they experience is a great way to determine which types of food they may need to avoid.

Exercise

Exercise may play a preventive role in the development of IBDs.

A research review published in 2017Trusted Source associates exercise with improvements in disease activity. The authors state that moderate-intensity exercise may be safe and potentially beneficial for people whose symptoms are not severe.

Stress reduction

Emotional difficulties such as stress can aggravateTrusted Source symptoms of both conditions, including abdominal pain, and make disease activity more severe.

Lifestyle habits that may help reduce stress include:

Medications

If symptoms are severe and lifestyle strategies are not effective, a person should consult a healthcare professional, who can prescribe medication and strategies to better manage the condition.

First-line treatmentTrusted Source for UC and proctitis will likely involve drugs to reduce inflammation in the rectum or colon. Doctors will also prescribe 5-aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA), which is also called mesalamine. A person or their doctor will administer this drug via enema once or twice per day, depending on the severity of symptoms.

Other drugs that doctors prescribe to treat proctitis may be similar to those that treat other types of UC, such as corticosteroids and biologics.

In severe cases, if medication does not relieve a person’s symptoms, a doctor may recommend surgery to remove part of the affected area of the colon.

Proctitis is a type of UC that affects the rectum.

People who have UC or proctitis should work with a doctor to monitor their condition. There is no medical cure for either condition, but a gastroenterologist can help a person develop and implement strategies to reduce the severity of symptoms.

Doctors treat most cases with medication and lifestyle strategies. Diet, exercise, and stress reduction are examples of changes people may be able to make to help relieve symptoms.