When you see blood in your stool, it can be frightening, but it does not necessarily indicate a major health issue. More often than not, rectal bleeding is due to relatively benign disorders such as haemorrhoids or anal fissures. On the other hand, blood in stool can also serve as an early sign of serious diseases such as colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, and other gastrointestinal problems which need to be addressed properly and on time.
The best thing to do is to pay attention to this symptom. Even if the bleeding has stopped, it is vital to find out the reason behind it via proper diagnosis. The presented blog will provide you with the most significant pieces of information regarding the possible origins of blood in the stool, the symptoms that require fast medical assistance, the tests needed for diagnosis, treatment approaches, and possible ways to prevent the issue.
What Does Blood in Stool Mean?
- Typically, bright red blood comes from the lower part of the digestive system like the rectum, anus, and lower part of the colon. The usual cause of this blood is the formation of hemorrhoids and anal fissures.
- Dark red or maroon blood in stool indicates bleeding that happens higher in the colon or while blood flows through the small intestine. Such bleeding needs medical evaluation.
- Black sticky stool (melena) indicates bleeding from the upper part of the digestive system like the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. A medical checkup is needed.
What are the Common Causes of Blood in Stool?
- Hemorrhoids refer to tense veins around the anus and the lower rectum region, which is among the most prevalent reasons for having bright red blood at the rectum. Some of the symptoms of hemorrhoids include, Bright red blood appearing after going to the bathroom as well as itching near the anus. Pain or discomfort is also one of the symptoms of this condition. Even if hemorrhoids are a common condition, seeing a doctor when bleeding persists is important.
- An anal fissure occurs when a small tear happens in the anus, and it usually occurs when a patient has difficulty passing hard stool. Some symptoms of anal fissure include sharp pain while passing stool, appearing bright red blood on the toilet paper, as well as feeling burning after going to the washroom.
- A polyp refers to an abnormal growth in the colon of patients, and in most cases, polyps are less dangerous, but in some cases, they can lead to the onset of colorectal cancer. Symptoms of polyps include blood in the rectum, including blood in the stool, as well as showing no symptoms at all. Regular colonoscopy is essential for detecting and removing the polyps before they transform into cancer.
- Sometimes, blood in the stool is one of the first signs of colorectal cancer. Other possible symptoms of colorectal cancer include ongoing changes in bowel behaviour, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, abdominal pain, iron deficiency anaemia, and the feeling of incomplete bowel emptying. Diagnosis in time can help with treatment.
- Pouches known as diverticula are formed in the colonic wall. When these bleed, they can lead to bleeding from the rectum, which is painless and occurs suddenly. In some cases, emergency treatment is needed. Specific health disorders like Inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease) are known to bring about inflammation and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Symptoms that might follow these diseases include diarrhoea, abdominal pain, weight loss, and fatigue.
- Certain infections can result in bleeding diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain, and dehydration, for which treatment will be required.
Bloody stool is a symptom that should never be overlooked because while conditions such as haemorrhoids or anal fissures are common causes of rectal bleeding, rectal bleeding may also be an early sign of colorectal cancer or serious disease of the digestive system. It is necessary to seek medical help without delay to make the diagnosis, provide the right treatment and detect the disease early. It is also recommended to lead a healthy way of life, detect alarm signals and follow colorectal cancer screening instructions in order to take care of your digestive health.