Common Rectal Diseases and Disorders: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatments

The rectum is susceptible to various conditions. Here are the most common:

1. Hemorrhoids: Swollen anal/rectal veins. Cause pain, bleeding, itching. Treated with fiber, topical agents, procedures (banding, sclerotherapy), or surgery.
2. Anal fissures: Tears in anal mucosa. Cause sharp pain and bleeding with bowel movements. Often heal with stool softeners, topical nitroglycerin/calcium channel blockers; chronic cases may need surgery.
3. Rectal prolapse: Full-thickness rectal wall protrudes through anus. Associated with pelvic floor weakness. Surgical repair often needed.
4. Diverticular disease: Colonic diverticula (pouches) that may bleed or become inflamed (diverticulitis). Managed with fiber, antibiotics, or surgery for complications.
5. Colorectal cancer: Malignant tumor of colon/rectum. Screened via colonoscopy. Treated with surgery, chemotherapy, radiation.
6. Ulcerative colitis: Chronic inflammation of rectal/colonic mucosa. Causes bloody diarrhea, urgency. Managed with 5-ASA, steroids, immunomodulators, biologics.
7. Crohn's disease: Transmural inflammation anywhere in GI tract, including rectum. Similar treatment to UC but may need stricter surveillance for fistulas/strictures.
8. Proctitis: Rectal inflammation from infections (STIs: gonorrhea, chlamydia, HSV), IBD, radiation, or ischemia. Treated based on cause.
9. Rectal bleeding: Symptom, not a diagnosis. Requires evaluation to identify source (hemorrhoids, fissures, cancer, IBD, etc.).
10. Fecal incontinence: Involuntary stool leakage. Causes: sphincter damage, nerve injury, rectal prolapse, diarrhea. Managed with diet, pelvic floor therapy, medications, surgery.

Any persistent rectal symptom warrants medical evaluation for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.