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Lifestyle and home remedies
By Mayo Clinic staffFor temporary relief of mild pain and inflammation, try the following self-care measures:
- Ask your doctor before using over-the-counter (OTC) diarrhea medicines. Don't take OTC anti-diarrhea drugs, such as loperamide (Imodium A-D), without your doctor's OK.
- Avoid food just before bedtime. Eating just before going to bed may stimulate your digestive system and cause you to have bowel movements and discomfort at night.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) may relieve your discomfort. However, if you have colitis, pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen could make your condition worse. Talk to your doctor before taking them.
- Use a sitz bath with warm water. A sitz bath fits over the toilet. You can get one at a medical supply store or some pharmacies. This may provide some comfort if you experience anal inflammation.
References
- Proctitis. National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/proctitis/index.htm. Accessed Feb. 26, 2010.
- Leiper K, et al. Treatment of radiation proctitis. Clinical Oncology. 2007;19:724.
- Lee PK, et al. Condyloma and other infections including human immunodeficiency virus. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2010;90:99.
- Coates WC. Disorders of the anorectum. In: Marx JA, et al. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Mosby; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05472-0..X0001-1--TOP&isbn=978-0-323-05472-0&uniq=192498651. Accessed Feb. 26, 2010.
- Zuckerman KS. Approach to the anemias. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/186591636-6/0/1492/0.html. Accessed March 2, 2010.
- Stamm WE, et al. Chlamydia trachomatis (trachoma, perinatal infections, lymphogranuloma venereum and other genital infections). In: Mandell GL, et al. Mandell, Douglas and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Churchill Livingstone; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/book.do?method=display&type=aboutPage&decorator=header&eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-443-06839-3..X0001-X--TOP&isbn=978-0-443-06839-3&uniq=192498651. Accessed March 2, 2010.
- Stenson WF. Inflammatory bowel disease. In: Goldman L, et al. Cecil Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2007. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/186591636-6/0/1492/0.html. Accessed March 2, 2010.
- Lakatos PL, et al. Ulcerative proctitis: A review of pharmacotherapy and management. Expert Opinion Pharmacotherapy. 2008;9:741.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. March 10, 2010.
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