digestive disorders
Proctitis
Introduction
Proctitis is inflammation of the lining of the rectum (rectal mucosa). The inflammation has many causes ranging from infection to radiation therapy. Depending on its cause, proctitis can be painless or very painful. A doctor makes the diagnosis after examining the inside of the rectum. Antibiotics can be used to treat proctitis caused by a bacterial infection. Corticosteroids can be applied to the affected area or sometimes taken by mouth to treat proctitis caused by radiation therapy. The rectum is the section of the digestive tract above the anus where stool is held before it passes out of the body through the anus. (See also Overview of the Anus and Rectum .) 