Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTreatmentLiving With the ConditionComplications
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Treatment
Living With the Condition
Complications
Ulcerative proctitis is an inflammation and ulceration of the rectal lining. In ulcerative proctitis, sores and ulcers form in the inner lining of the rectum, the lowest part of the large intestine.
Symptoms vary between people. Some will experience constant symptoms of ulcerative proctitis, while others will be symptom-free for months and then suddenly experience flare-ups.While there isn’t a cure, there are several ulcerative proctitis treatment options available, including medications and changes to your diet.
Verywell / Jessica Olah
Treatment options for ulcerative proctitis vary based on the severity of the condition. Treatment involves both reducing symptoms and addressing the underlying inflammation causing symptoms.
Standard TreatmentU.S. and European clinical guidelines recommend oral salicylates, topical mesalamine, or topical steroids for mild to moderate ulcerative proctitis (distal colitis). In remission, mesalamine suppositories are used.
Standard Treatment
U.S. and European clinical guidelines recommend oral salicylates, topical mesalamine, or topical steroids for mild to moderate ulcerative proctitis (distal colitis). In remission, mesalamine suppositories are used.
Anti-Inflammatory Medication
Treatment using medication varies based on the level of inflammation. Mild inflammation may require enemas, foam, or suppositories. More severe inflammation may require oral medication. Medication choices also depend on if treatment is for symptom relief or treating underlying inflammation.
Medicines that reduce inflammation may be prescribed and can be taken orally or topically as suppositories, enemas, and foam.
5-Aminosalicylic acid (5-ASA)assists in reducing acute inflammation. If taken at a maintenance dose long term, it can help deter inflammation.
Some 5-ASAs can be taken orally. These include:
5-ASAs can also be taken via the rectum. This can often bring about faster results. Suppositories of 5-ASAs include:
Corticosteroidsare used to treat inflammation and are taken rectally. This treatment is available as a suppository, foam, or liquid preparation.
These medications include:
Biologics
Biological drugs are produced using a living system, whether a plant or animal cell or a microorganism. Biological therapies using immunotherapy help the body’s immune system and stopping proteins from causing inflammation. They are often used as a form of cancer treatment.
Examples of biologics include:
Medications for Symptom Relief
Anti-diarrheal medications may be prescribed to help control bowel movements and stop cramping.
Medications in this category include:
Will I need surgery for ulcerative proctitis?Surgery is not usually used to treat ulcerative proctitis, but in emergency or extremely severe cases, a proctocolectomy may be recommended.
Will I need surgery for ulcerative proctitis?
Surgery is not usually used to treat ulcerative proctitis, but in emergency or extremely severe cases, a proctocolectomy may be recommended.
Diet
Diet modifications can assist in reducing symptoms of ulcerative proctitis:
What triggers ulcerative proctitis?The cause of ulcerative proctitis is unknown. However, some people with the condition notice that stress and being busy may aggravate symptoms causing a flare.
What triggers ulcerative proctitis?
The cause of ulcerative proctitis is unknown. However, some people with the condition notice that stress and being busy may aggravate symptoms causing a flare.
Living With Ulcerative Proctitis
Many people with ulcerative proctitis lead normal active lives. Symptoms may vary from person to person. Whether symptoms are constant or present only during a flare-up, regular appointments with a physician are necessary to monitor the disease and adjust medications where necessary.
Stress and tension can make symptoms of ulcerative proctitis worse. Decreasing stress and practicing relaxation techniques may help.
Those living with ulcerative proctitis may find it helpful to talk to others experiencing the same symptoms. Support groups are a good place to start.The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundationhas a register of over 200 support groups across the United States.
Does ulcerative proctitis go away?The cause of ulcerative proctitis is unknown. However, some people with the condition notice that stress and being busy may aggravate symptoms causing a flare.
Does ulcerative proctitis go away?
If left untreated, ulcerative proctitis can lead to a number of complications. These include:
If I have ulcerative proctitis, will I develop ulcerative colitis?The chance of ulcerative proctitis spreading to the colon to develop into ulcerative colitis is small. Only 10% to 30% of people with ulcerative proctitis have inflammation spread beyond the rectum. Less than 15% of those with ulcerative proctitis go on to develop chronic ulcerative colitis.
If I have ulcerative proctitis, will I develop ulcerative colitis?
The chance of ulcerative proctitis spreading to the colon to develop into ulcerative colitis is small. Only 10% to 30% of people with ulcerative proctitis have inflammation spread beyond the rectum. Less than 15% of those with ulcerative proctitis go on to develop chronic ulcerative colitis.
Summary
Ulcerative proctitis involves inflammation of the rectum. Symptoms can include diarrhea, fecal incontinence, and rectal pain. This disease differs from ulcerative colitis, which impacts the entire colon. There is no cure for ulcerative proctitis, but treatment options are available to relieve symptoms and address underlying inflammation.
Treatment options, depending on the severity, include medications like oral and topical mesalamine, steroids, and anti-inflammatory drugs to manage symptoms and reduce inflammation. Dietary adjustments, such as increasing fiber intake, avoiding dairy, and reducing spicy or raw foods, may also help alleviate symptoms.
10 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gecse KB, Lakatos PL.Ulcerative proctitis: an update on the pharmacotherapy and management.Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2014;15(11):1565-1573. doi:10.1517/14656566.2014.920322GI Society/Canadian Society of Intestinal Research.Ulcerative proctitis.Kato S, Ishibashi A, Kani K, Yakabi K.Optimized management of ulcerative proctitis: when and how to use mesalazine suppository.Digestion. 2018;97(1):59-63. doi:10.1159/000484224Yokoyama, Y., Ohta, Y., Ogasawara, S.et al.The long-term effect of biologics in patients with ulcerative colitis emerging from a large Japanese cohort.Sci Rep12, 21060 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25218-xAmerican Cancer Society.Understanding Biologic and Biosimilar Drugs.Awan H, Fatima U, Eaw R, Knox N, Alrubaiy L.The Efficacy of Currently Licensed Biologics for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Literature Review. Cureus. 2023 Apr 15;15(4):e37609. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37609. PMID: 37069838; PMCID: PMC10105519.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Surgery for Ulcerative ColitisColon and Rectal Surgery Associates.Ulcerative proctitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for proctitis.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Proctitis.
10 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Gecse KB, Lakatos PL.Ulcerative proctitis: an update on the pharmacotherapy and management.Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2014;15(11):1565-1573. doi:10.1517/14656566.2014.920322GI Society/Canadian Society of Intestinal Research.Ulcerative proctitis.Kato S, Ishibashi A, Kani K, Yakabi K.Optimized management of ulcerative proctitis: when and how to use mesalazine suppository.Digestion. 2018;97(1):59-63. doi:10.1159/000484224Yokoyama, Y., Ohta, Y., Ogasawara, S.et al.The long-term effect of biologics in patients with ulcerative colitis emerging from a large Japanese cohort.Sci Rep12, 21060 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25218-xAmerican Cancer Society.Understanding Biologic and Biosimilar Drugs.Awan H, Fatima U, Eaw R, Knox N, Alrubaiy L.The Efficacy of Currently Licensed Biologics for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Literature Review. Cureus. 2023 Apr 15;15(4):e37609. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37609. PMID: 37069838; PMCID: PMC10105519.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Surgery for Ulcerative ColitisColon and Rectal Surgery Associates.Ulcerative proctitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for proctitis.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Proctitis.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Gecse KB, Lakatos PL.Ulcerative proctitis: an update on the pharmacotherapy and management.Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2014;15(11):1565-1573. doi:10.1517/14656566.2014.920322GI Society/Canadian Society of Intestinal Research.Ulcerative proctitis.Kato S, Ishibashi A, Kani K, Yakabi K.Optimized management of ulcerative proctitis: when and how to use mesalazine suppository.Digestion. 2018;97(1):59-63. doi:10.1159/000484224Yokoyama, Y., Ohta, Y., Ogasawara, S.et al.The long-term effect of biologics in patients with ulcerative colitis emerging from a large Japanese cohort.Sci Rep12, 21060 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25218-xAmerican Cancer Society.Understanding Biologic and Biosimilar Drugs.Awan H, Fatima U, Eaw R, Knox N, Alrubaiy L.The Efficacy of Currently Licensed Biologics for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Literature Review. Cureus. 2023 Apr 15;15(4):e37609. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37609. PMID: 37069838; PMCID: PMC10105519.Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Surgery for Ulcerative ColitisColon and Rectal Surgery Associates.Ulcerative proctitis.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for proctitis.National Organization for Rare Disorders.Proctitis.
Gecse KB, Lakatos PL.Ulcerative proctitis: an update on the pharmacotherapy and management.Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2014;15(11):1565-1573. doi:10.1517/14656566.2014.920322
GI Society/Canadian Society of Intestinal Research.Ulcerative proctitis.
Kato S, Ishibashi A, Kani K, Yakabi K.Optimized management of ulcerative proctitis: when and how to use mesalazine suppository.Digestion. 2018;97(1):59-63. doi:10.1159/000484224
Yokoyama, Y., Ohta, Y., Ogasawara, S.et al.The long-term effect of biologics in patients with ulcerative colitis emerging from a large Japanese cohort.Sci Rep12, 21060 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-022-25218-x
American Cancer Society.Understanding Biologic and Biosimilar Drugs.
Awan H, Fatima U, Eaw R, Knox N, Alrubaiy L.The Efficacy of Currently Licensed Biologics for Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis: A Literature Review. Cureus. 2023 Apr 15;15(4):e37609. doi: 10.7759/cureus.37609. PMID: 37069838; PMCID: PMC10105519.
Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation.Surgery for Ulcerative Colitis
Colon and Rectal Surgery Associates.Ulcerative proctitis.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Definition & facts for proctitis.
National Organization for Rare Disorders.Proctitis.
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