Blood in stool, also known as rectal bleeding or GI bleeding, refers to any appearance of blood in bowel movements. Depending on where the bleeding originates, the blood may be visible as bright red streaks or make the stool appear dark and tar-like. This symptom can indicate anything from diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and hemorrhoids to colon cancer.
Blood in stool, also known as bloody stool, rectal bleeding, and GI bleeding, is a common symptom of various gastrointestinal issues. Occasional traces and minor rectal bleeding may indicate minor causes like constipation, and anal fissure. Persistent or significant blood in the stool often signals more serious GI conditions such as hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), peptic ulcer disease, and colon cancer that require prompt medical evaluation like a rectal examination to determine the cause of rectal bleeding.
Healthcare providers typically consider the following possible causes of blood in stool, also known as bloody stool, rectal bleeding, or GI bleeding:
No, blood in stool can be caused by various conditions, many of which are not cancerous, such as hemorrhoids, anal fissure, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), gastroenteritis, and other problems in the GI tract. Other causes include diverticulitis, infectious colitis, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), peptic ulcer, and colon polyps. It is very important to get it checked by a doctor to rule out serious causes.
If you notice blood in your stool, you should seek medical attention right away. While mild rectal bleeding may not be serious, persistent or large amounts of blood require immediate medical attention.
Yes, constipation and straining to poop can cause rectal bleeding. When you strain, you can cause conditions like hemorrhoids or anal fissure, which may GI bleeding or rectal bleeding. Very hard stool may tear the skin inside your anus, causing bleeding. Getting checked and treating your possible causes can help prevent this from happening.
Healthcare providers can evaluate rectal bleeding or blood in stool in several ways to determine the cause. They might start by asking you questions about the circumstances surrounding your rectal bleeding or the blood in your stool. Your answers to these questions can help your provider determine which medical tests to follow up with. Diagnosis often involves a physical examination, a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, and sometimes imaging studies to determine the source of bleeding.
You should seek medical attention if you notice persistent or significant bleeding, dark, tarry stools, large blood clots in your stool, or if symptoms like weight loss, fatigue, or abdominal pain accompany the blood.
Yes, the color of the blood can indicate its source:
In most cases, a minimal blood loss during bowel movement is harmless. However, you should see a healthcare provider to determine the exact cause of your bleeding, and you should consult your physician right away if you are facing excessive bleeding.
Depending on the cause, your bleeding may stop on its own. If it stops and doesn’t come back, it probably won’t need further treatment. But it would be best if you always kept an eye on any rectal bleeding or blood in your stool. Notice if it happens more than once, or if you have any other symptoms with it.
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