Blood in stool is often discovered with some fear, accompanied best by exclamations of bloody (the adjective, not the expletive). Dots of blood, scarlet red, stand out obviously on feces. Toilet tissue is besmirched by crimson red dots of blood. Bright red spots of blood dribble into the toilet bowl or down the legs. A sudden bout of perplexity causes our hearts to jump a beat or two.
It is definitely too soon to panic for any number of 7 possibilities could explain the rectal bleeding. Whilst the 7 causes will be disruptive, they are treatable with diligent attention to ensure early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Do not be unconcerned. Pay close attention. Without delay, consult your doctor if bleeding and pain drags on for over a week.Â
Relevant treatment can be administered to resolve the problem once systematic diagnosis spots the precise cause. More overwhelmingly, blood in stool may be the result of some form of cancer.Â
Hematochezia and Melena
Hematochezia (maroon or bright red colored blood) or melena (black sticky or tarry stools) are two medical identifications for the less technical term rectal bleeding. Whilst alluded to as rectal bleeding because the exit is the rectum, the origins of the blood may be any of 7 causes in the colon (large intestine). Cancer, colon polyps, diverticulosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, intestinal ischaemia and peptic ulcer are the 7 known causes in the colon.Â
Colorectal Cancer
640,000 people around the world die yearly from colorectal cancer, making it the 3rd leading cause of of cancer-related death. It is the reason why one must see a doctor for continual blood in stool.
Tumours in the colon, appendix and rectum are categorised as colorectal cancer. Surgical removal and chemotherapy are standard treatment for colorectal cancer which is chiefly ascertained by colonoscopy (visual inspection by micro-camera introduced via the anus. Total healing is possible with early discovery. Higher risk groups encompass those over 50 years of age and those with family history of cancers. Colorectal cancer is gender blind, afflicting both women and men, with no conspicuous bias for either sex..Â
It is vital to know this next bit of information. Quite the opposite of what is printed elsewhere, colorectal cancer generally brings forth occult (invisible to the naked eye) blood in feces i.e it is NOT a normal cause of visible blood in stool! According to the University of Michigan Health System, colorectal cancer does cause bleeding but special tests are needful to determine the presence of occult blood. Important associated symptoms to watch out for are constant fatigue, appetite loss, weight loss, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain.Â
Colon Polyp
Polyps are ordinarily benign growths, raised or flat, on the walls of the intestinal tract and the rectum. Those above 50 years of age and with a family history of polyps and colorectal cancer are prone to polyps. Smoking, alcohol, obesity and lack of exercise are contributory causal factors. In reality, the actual cause is not clear.Â
Whilst benign, polyps are generally removed during colonoscopy as they can turn malignant. The majority of with polyps show few or no symptoms at all|Symptoms may not show up at all in the majority of who have polyps|Polyps do not usually cause visible symptoms. But in others, blood in stool happens. Â
DiverticulosisÂ
Diverticulosis causes pouches (diverticula) to stretch out of the colon wall. The reasons behind diverticula, whilst not apparent, are assumed to be primarily abnormal colon pressure. Contributory factors include a lack of dietary fiber. Infection (diverticulitis) may set in if food gets embedded in the diverticula. Complications from diverticulitis can ensue if an infected diverticulum ruptures and releases bacteria to the abdominal cavity lining. The conceivably deadly peritonitis can materialise.Â
Most people with diverticulosis do not feel any symptoms at all. Some may be beset by symptoms of constipation, bloating and mild cramps. Yet others suffer more severely, including nausea, vomiting and rectal bleeding as the most common symptoms. The prospect of peritonitis attest to the urgency that blood in stool should first be examined by a doctor. Effective diagnosis of diverticulitis can be achieved with a CT (computed tomography) scan.Â
Ulcerative ColitisÂ
Colitis falls under the category of IBD or inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammation by itself is a robust bodily reaction to heal injured tissue. Often too much of a good thing can become harmful; so it is with inflammation, which if left unfettered upon repairing impaired tissue can itself be the cause of more tissue injury. Colitis in the colon is caused by ulcers which are deterioration of the mucous membrane lining.Â
Apart from other symptoms, blood in stool is characteristic. Eliminating colitis as the reason behind rectal bleeding is critical as they can become very severe when the colon is perforated. Â
Crohn’s DiseaseÂ
Crohn's disease is an auto-immune disease whereby the body's immune system causes harmful inflammation by turning on the gastrointestinal tract. It can manifest anywhere in of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. However, the large intestine (colon) and small intestine, are the main sites~But it usually affects the small and large intestine (colon)~The small and large intestine (colon), however, are the main affected areas.
Exact causes are not known but it is believed to be due to one or all of several factors including industrial environmental exposure, genetic makeup and smoking. The symptoms are blood in stool, serious bloody diarrhea, blood in toilet bowl or on toilet tissue, fever and weight loss. Â
Periodically reappearances right through life or permanent remission both distinguish Crohn's disease, also known as granulomatous colitis. Whether pharmaceutical or surgical, there is presently no known medical cure. Early detection is important for effective management of the symptoms and thwarting relapses.Â
Intestinal IschemiaÂ
Ischemia is a suppression in blood supply to any part of the body. Dysfunctional arteries result in tissue damage due to the deprivation of blood nutrients and oxygen. Intestinal ischemia or ischemic colitis refers to inflammation of the large intestine due to lack of blood supply as a result of low blood pressure, blood vessel constriction or blood clots.Â
Symptoms include blood in stool, urgent and violent bowel movements, weight loss, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, abdominal bloating and fever. Constant pain needs immediate medical attention to restore regular blood supply to the intestinal tract. It may be necessary to surgically get around blocked blood vessels and eradicate blood clots and damaged tissue. Medications include anticoagulants to ward off blood clot formation and antibiotics to treat infections.Â
Peptic UlcerÂ
An exceptionally painful ulcer, this is located in the gastrointestinal tract. At least 0.5cm in diameter, an ulcer is an erosion of the mucosal membrane. Peptic ulcers do not occur in the stomach, contrary to popular belief, but in the duodenum or the initial part of the small intestine. A bacterium that inflicts chronic gastritis is suspected to be a primary reason for peptic ulcers.Â
Symptoms include blood in stool (melena), appetite and weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting blood and intestinal perforation which is dangerous. Peritonitis, possibly life-threatening, may develop and require emergency surgery. In milder cases, bacteria and acidity can be cured by antibiotics and antacids respectively.
HemorrhoidsÂ
Narrated above are 7 very good reasons for consulting a doctor for an accurate diagnosis when rectal bleeding is experienced. Expeditious recovery can be achieved with appropriate treatment, perhaps surgery, and medication.Â
After the rather disheartening read so far, you may find some consolation in knowing that hemorrhoids are the most frequent cause of blood in stool.
Further Reading
If you are interested in finding more about this topic, we have a related post on Bowel Movement Bleeding - Six Possible Causes Of Rectal Bleeding at our site. Do check this out.
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