How to Diagnose Proctitis

Proctitis is an inflammation of the mucous membrane of the rectum, defined as the last 15 cm. of the colon. It is also associated with inflammation of the lamina propria, the loss of mucosal cells, eosinophilic crypt abscesses and edema of arterioles. Proctitis can progress into ischemia of the rectum and produce bleeding, fistula formation, strictures and ulcers. The following steps will show you how to diagnose proctitis.

Instructions

• 1

  Obtain the common presenting symptoms of proctitis. These can vary since proctitis has many causes, but symptomes include the presence of blood and mucus in the stool, occasional passage of loose stools and a strong ineffective urge to evacuate the bowels.

• 2

  Check for symptoms specific to proctitis caused by infection. These frequently consist of anal itching, rectal pain and consequent avoidance of bowel movements. Common causes of infectious proctitis include Chlamydia, herpes simplex virus (HSV) and gonorrhea.

• 3

  Conduct a physical examination to find signs of proctitis, including a reddening of the mucosa, groups of vesicles that form circular ulcers, painless chancres and tender lymph nodes in the inguinal area.

• 4

  Perform general laboratory studies to determine the severity of proctitis. A complete blood count should be done to check for blood loss and sequential seven serum tests (SMA 7) can evaluate electrolyte losses.

• 5

  Run specific tests to determine the cause of proctitis. An elevated level of C-reactive protein is indicative of extensive pancolitis. Rectal swabs can be used to diagnose Chlamydia or gonorrhea and vesicular fluid can be analyzed to diagnose HSV.