What should you know about proctitis ulcerative colitis?

The rectum becomes inflamed, so a person may feel a strong need to open the bowels even when little stool passes. Mucus or blood, frequent loose stools, straining, and soreness can occur. Some people have abdominal pain, while others mainly notice rectal symptoms. The inflammation may remain localised or extend higher into the bowel over time, so follow-up matters.

Diagnosis usually combines your history with examination, stool tests, blood tests, and sometimes a camera examination with a small tissue sample. These checks help distinguish ulcerative colitis from infection, haemorrhoids, medication effects, or other bowel conditions.

Arrange a GP Consultation if symptoms persist, recur, or include blood or mucus. Keep a symptom record with stool frequency, urgency, bleeding, pain, fever, and weight change. Take prescribed treatment consistently and do not stop it because symptoms improve without discussing this with your clinician. Drink enough fluid, especially during diarrhoea, and ask for advice before taking anti-diarrhoeal medicines.

Seek urgent help for heavy or persistent rectal bleeding, severe or worsening abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, fever with marked illness, repeated vomiting, faintness, or inability to keep fluids down. A sudden major change in bowel symptoms should be assessed promptly. Screening or surveillance may be discussed separately according to your history and bowel involvement.

Ask what tests are needed, whether symptoms suggest inflammation in the rectum only, which treatment is appropriate, and when follow-up or Colorectal Cancer Screening should be considered.