What are the Causes of Solitary Rectal Ulcer Syndrome?
Today we know that physicians do not completely understand the causes of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. However there are some theories about the cause. Current theories are asserting its link with a direct injury to the related area or diminished flow of the blood to the area. This kind of blood loss may be present in rectal prolapse cases. Rectal prolapse is a disease condition where the membrane of rectal mucous is lining through the anus.
This means there is a contraction of the muscle that circles the front portion of the upper anal canal. The mixture of downward pressure and movement of the mucous lining and stool defecating the upward pressure from the puborectalis muscle contraction can develop complete pressure to injure the rectum. This force may also limit the flow of blood to the area. It is important to remember that these conditions are only a theory.
Please find below other causes of injury and succeeding ulcers:
- Feeling pain during defecation
- Spasm and or influenced stool,
- Trials to take away the influenced stool with a finger
- Radiation treatment that restricts the flow of blood to the area
- Taking ergotamine suppositories that is anti-migraine treatment
What are the risk factors of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome?
Gender and age is not a significant risk factor in solitary rectal ulcer syndrome. Both men and women population have the equal risks of developing this disease in all ages.
Although the cause of SRUS is not clear, the below circumstances may increase the risk of rectal ulcers:
- Feeling pain during bowel movements
- Chronic spasm
- Using the finger to take away stool when you experience the spasm
- Rectal prolapse
It is true that the above conditions may increase the risk of rectal ulcers. However don’t forget that a person can develop SRUS without the existence of these signs and conditions
What is the pathogenesis of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome?
Unfortunately this is not clearly understood today. There are several assumptions that support the idea that different etiologies play an important role in the development of solitary rectal ulcer syndrome.
Depending on the general clinical observations paradoxical constriction of the puborectalis muscle and rectal prolapse may end with rectal trauma. The reason may be two folds:
1.Counter impact of theparadoxical contraction of the puborectalis muscle may produce a huge pressure inside the the rectum and direct to mucosal ischemia, thus predisposing to ulceration.
2.Prolapsed rectal mucosa is forced downward because of the forces produced by the rectum during defecation.
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