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Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is a condition that occurs when one or more open sores (ulcers) develop in the rectum. The rectum is a muscular tube connected to the end of your colon. Stool passes through the rectum on its way out of the body.

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome is a rare and poorly understood disorder that often occurs in people with chronic constipation. Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome can cause rectal bleeding and straining during bowel movements. Despite the name, sometimes more than one rectal ulcer occurs in solitary rectal ulcer syndrome.

Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome may improve with simple lifestyle strategies, such as changing your diet and drinking more fluids. In severe cases, however, surgery may be needed.

Signs and symptoms of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome include:

However, some people with solitary rectal ulcer syndrome may experience no symptoms.

Make an appointment with your doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms that worry you.

Several other conditions may cause signs and symptoms similar to those of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. At your appointment, your doctor may recommend tests and procedures to identify or rule out causes other than solitary rectal ulcer syndrome.

It’s not always clear what causes solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. Doctors believe stress or injury to the rectum may cause rectal ulcers to form.

Among the things that could injure the rectum are:

You may have one or more of the following tests to diagnose solitary rectal ulcer syndrome:

Treatment for solitary rectal ulcer syndrome depends on the severity of your condition. People with mild signs and symptoms may find relief through lifestyle changes, while people with more severe signs and symptoms may require medical or surgical treatment.

Surgical procedures used to treat solitary rectal ulcer syndrome include:

You can make changes to your daily life that may help relieve your symptoms. Such changes are likely to include:

Start by seeing your primary doctor if you have signs or symptoms that worry you. If your doctor suspects that you may have solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, you may be referred to a doctor who specializes in the digestive system (gastroenterologist).

What you can do

For solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, some basic questions to ask your doctor include:

What to expect from your doctor

Your doctor is likely to ask you a number of questions. If you’ve thought about your answers, you may have additional time to go over any points you want to spend more time on.

Your doctor may ask:

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