Accutane Information • Accutane Side Effects
Helping People Who Have Suffered Accutane-Related Bowel Injuries
Crohn's disease, Ulcerative Colitis, Proctitis, IBD-Inflammatory bowel disease, Ileitis

The Accutane Team is only accepting cases involving bowel injuries

What is Proctitis?

Proctitis is an inflammation of the lining of your rectum, which is located in the lower section of the intestine leading to the anus. This condition commonly affects the last 6 inches of the rectum.

With regard to its duration, you may find proctitis to be short-lived, or it may become chronic. The range of time  proctitis exhibits its symptoms in someone can consist of weeks, months, or longer.

Many people who develop procitis are able to cure it with prescribed medical treatment; however, the treatment of proctitis is largely dependant upon its particular cause.  For instance, it's possible that Proctitis is a side effect of specific medical treatments, including radiation therapy, or antibiotic use.

What are the symptoms of Proctitis?
 
Symptoms of proctitis can vary greatly depending upon the cause, but generally include:

• Pain during a bowel movement
• Anal and rectal sensitivity or soreness
• Feeling as though you didn't completely empty your bowels after a bowel movement
• Involuntary spasms and cramping during bowel movements
• Rectal bleeding, and possibly a discharge
• Constant or frequent urge to have a bowel movement
• Passing mucus through your rectum
• Pain in your lower left abdomen
• A feeling of rectal fullness
• Diarrhea, usually frequent, in small amounts

If you have proctitis and experience severe bleeding, it's possible that you may develop anemia from the loss of blood.  Anemia can leave your skin pale, as well as cause irritability, weakness, dizziness, fragile nails, and shortness of breath
 
With regard to the symptoms of proctitis, it's important to remember that the initial symptoms may seem minor, such as tenderness or mild irritation of the rectal area.

Can inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) cause Proctitis?
 
Yes. Studies indicate that you are more vulnerable to proctitis if you have ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease. Ulcerative colitis involves inflammation of the inner lining of your large intestine, including your rectum, the lowest portion of your colon. Crohn's disease involves chronic inflammation of any part of your gastrointestinal tract.
 
How is proctitis diagnosed?
 
The diagnosis of proctitis is usually based on the "suspected cause" of each person's individual case.

A proctosigmoidoscopy is performed in most cases of suspected proctitis.  This procedure requires a lighted tube with a  camera to be passed through the patient's anus so that the surface of the rectum.  The image is then wired to a television screen so that it can be magnified to monitor changes in appearance.

It's also possible that a biopsy will be performed on the surface area for testing of disease or infection. If there is discharge, it will undergo laboratory testing to identify the possibility of sexually transmitted organisms.

Doctors also frequently test your blood for the presence of antibodies to support the diagnosis.

Your doctor will take a history of your condition, including your sexual history, and conduct a physical exam.
 
The exam may include the following:
 
Blood tests. Your doctor may suggest blood tests to check for signs of infection or anemia, if you've lost blood.

Colonoscopy. The doctor will be able to view your entire colon using a thin, flexible, lighted tube with an attached camera. Your doctor may also take samples of tissue (biopsy) for laboratory analysis. A biopsy can often help confirm a diagnosis. Risks of this procedure include perforation or rupture of the colon wall and bleeding, especially when a biopsy is taken.

Flexible sigmoidoscopy. In this procedure, your doctor uses a slender, flexible, lighted tube to examine thesigmoid — the last two feet of your colon — including the rectum. Your doctor also can take a biopsy during this test. The test usually takes just a few minutes. It's somewhat uncomfortable, and there's a slight risk of perforating the wall of your colon.

STD screening.

If you believe you have been injured or have suffered a severe side effect from the use of Accutane, it may be that you are entitled to compensation. It is important that if you contact our firm for a free case evaluation. Our lawyers will analyze your case and advise whether you are entitled to compensation. Contact us here