Overview
A healthcare provider will begin by asking you about your symptoms, then physically examine your rectum for signs of proctitis (digital rectal exam and anoscopy). If proctitis appears likely, they’ll ask you further questions to help get an idea of what might have caused it or what type it is. They might ask:
- What medications you’ve taken lately.
- Whether you have a family history of autoimmune diseases.
- Whether you have unprotected sex or sex with unscreened partners.
- Whether you’ve recently traveled abroad.
Based on your answers and what they can see, they’ll decide which additional tests you might need.
Tests might include:
- A blood test. A blood test can identify infections and other conditions that may cause proctitis. It can also indicate blood loss or an excess of white blood cells.
- A stool test. A healthcare provider may test a sample of your poop for evidence of infection, bleeding or an excess of white blood cells.
- A rectal culture. For this test, a healthcare provider swipes the inside of your rectum with a cotton swab and then places it in a culture to identify bacteria or viruses in the sample.
- Proctoscopy. A proctoscopy is an examination of the inside of your rectum with a short, rigid scope. The proctoscope is a hollow tube with a lighted camera at the end. If needed, a healthcare provider can pass an instrument through the tube to take a tissue sample for biopsy.
- Flexible sigmoidoscopy. Your provider might use a slightly longer scope called a flexible sigmoidoscope if they want to see a little further in to examine the end part of your colon where it meets your rectum (your sigmoid colon). If your colon is involved, it might indicate inflammatory bowel disease or a gastrointestinal infection. This test will require a bowel prep.
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Symptoms
When to see a doctor
Complications
Blood clots are a dangerous complication of atrial fibrillation (AFib). Blood clots can lead to stroke.
The risk of stroke from AFib increases as you grow older. Other health conditions also may increase the risk of a stroke due to AFib. These conditions include:
- High blood pressure.
- Diabetes.
- Heart failure.
- Some types of heart valve disease.
Blood thinners are commonly prescribed to prevent blood clots and strokes in people with atrial fibrillation.
Prevention
Healthy lifestyle choices can reduce the risk of heart disease and may prevent atrial fibrillation (AFib). Here are some basic heart-healthy tips:
- Control high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes.
- Don't smoke or use tobacco.
- Eat a diet that's low in salt and saturated fat.
- Exercise at least 30 minutes a day on most days of the week unless your health care team says not to.
- Get good sleep. Adults should aim for 7 to 9 hours daily.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Reduce and manage stress.
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