Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a board-certified gastroenterologist and the founder of GastroDoxs. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Ulcerative proctitis is a mild form of ulcerative colitis limited to the rectum. It leads to inflammation, swelling and small ulcers in the rectal lining. Many people experience light symptoms and respond well to treatment.
He reviews your symptom pattern (bleeding, urgency, mucus), bowel-movement changes, family history of IBD, and any potential triggers. A focused abdominal exam and digital rectal exam help assess tenderness and inflammation.
He orders a complete blood count to check for anemia, C-reactive protein and ESR to gauge inflammation, and basic metabolic panels. Stool studies may also be done to rule out infections and measure fecal calprotectin.
If the diagnosis remains unclear or to assess microscopic disease activity, a small tissue biopsy is taken during endoscopy for histologic confirmation.
Dr. Pothuri has treated more than 1.5K patients, helping individuals improve their digestive health and overall well-being through expert, personalized care.
With over 20 years of experience, GastroDoxs has been a trusted provider of gastroenterology care, focusing on delivering the best outcomes for patients
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Ulcerative proctitis involves inflammation only in the rectum, whereas ulcerative colitis affects larger portions of the colon.
Yes. Proctitis often responds to milder therapy, including topical suppositories or enemas, while colitis may require oral or systemic medications.
Dietary changes can ease symptoms but do not cure the disease. Most patients still need prescribed medications for long-term control.
ICD-10 K51.2 is the official diagnosis code for ulcerative proctitis, used for insurance billing and medical record keeping.
Many patients notice improvement within a few days to weeks of starting therapy, though full remission may take longer.
Untreated proctitis can lead to anemia, severe bleeding, increased infection risk, and a small long-term cancer risk.
Having a close relative with inflammatory bowel disease raises your risk, though it's not directly inherited in every case.
