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Rectal bleeding is always a disturbing symptom that requires medical consultation in order to rule out the most dangerous cause – colorectal cancer. Blood that appears in the stool is usually visible on toilet paper or underwear. Blood can come from different parts of the colon, sigmoid colon, rectum, or anus.
Rectal bleeding shows when fresh blood or clots are present in the stools. Blood can also be seen on the toilet paper, right after wiping it, or on your underwear. It is important to make sure whether or not the blood is mixed with the stools.
This makes it easier to identify the site of bleeding (e.g. from the rectum or the large intestine). Associated symptoms such as abdominal pain, dizziness, weight loss and general weakness are equally important.
One of the first things you should do is see a doctor. In many cases, the patient is then referred for a colon examination, e.g. with an anoscope, rectoscope or rectal examination in front of the anus.
When a haemorrhoidal disease is diagnosed, further diagnosis is stopped. In a situation where there are no visible changes in the anus, a colonoscopy is recommended.
Colonoscopy is also recommended for people over 40 years of age and having relatives suffering from colorectal cancer and other ailments prompting endoscopic examination of the colon. Colonoscopy is recommended not only for people who have rectal bleeding, but for all people over 50 years of age.
Even if rectal bleeding occurs only once, it is advisable to see a doctor. The first thing you can do is see your primary care physician. He will then collect all the details of the disease, such as the color of the blood and its amount. Based on this information, it will indicate further diagnostics. In some cases, you may need to see a surgeon.
Further part under the video.
Rectal bleeding and hemorrhoids
Rectal bleeding is sometimes a symptom of haemorrhoidal disease. Hemorrhoids are hemorrhoids in the anus. These cavernous veins are filled with blood, but only moderately. Symptoms of hemorrhoids are also anal itching and a problem with full bowel movement. When the condition is not developed, the use of ointments and suppositories will help. In the more advanced stage of the disease, surgical intervention is indicated.
Find out more about anal disease
Rectal bleeding and colon polyps
Colon polyps are formed when the mucosa bulges into the lumen of the intestine. They look like air bubbles. In the initial stage, the disease is difficult to detect as it does not show any more visible symptoms. At this stage, only some patients have rectal leakage or complaints of pain in the lower abdomen. Colon polyps should be dropped off as soon as possible.
Rectal bleeding in the course of an anal fissure
An anal fissure is a wound of the anal canal. It appears when the inner layer of the anus ruptures. Injury can occur when stool is too hard, which causes mechanical trauma – the anus stretches excessively and its inner layer breaks. Pain lasts about half an hour after having a bowel movement. In some cases it is sharp and piercing.
In addition to leakage of blood from the anus, patients also complain of itching, burning of the anus and an increased need to defecate. In the treatment of the disease, anti-inflammatory preparations are used that soften the stool and reduce the tone of the sphincters. A proper (high-residual) diet is equally important. Sitting baths are also helpful. When the indicated methods do not bring the expected result, surgical intervention is indicated.
Rectal bleeding and colon cancer
Rectal bleeding may be one of the symptoms of colorectal cancer. However, in addition to the bleeding itself, there are also symptoms such as a change in bowel rhythm, weight loss and stool shape change, vomiting and pain in the lower abdomen. A sick person may also experience general fatigue. Colorectal cancer is most common in people over 50.
Rectal bleeding in children
The blood in your baby’s stool does not necessarily imply that your baby has an infection. Its presence may result, for example, from the mother’s injured nipple. Another reason may be a microcrack on the rectal mucosa. Blood in a child’s stool, as in an adult, can also be the result of gastrointestinal infections, intestinal polyps, and blood clotting disorders. Blood in the stool may also be caused by an allergy to the product.
Rectal bleeding in pregnant women
Pregnant women often complain of constipation, which is normal for the condition – which is why they often have blood in their stools. In their case, it has an intense color. The very occurrence of bleeding is not serious and it will subside over time. However, it is advisable to inform the attending physician about it. In many cases, women are advised to eat more fiber.
The blood on the toilet paper can sometimes have a dark, even black color. This is a sign of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. In order to establish a specific cause, a visit to the doctor is advisable.
However, the tarry color of the blood in the stool may suggest that the person has stomach or duodenal disease, Mallory-Weiss syndrome, or esophageal varices.
Blood when passing stools – determining the causes
There are a number of tests that can help us find the causes of both light and heavy rectal bleeding. One of them is gastroscopy. It consists in inserting a soft tube with a camera into the patient’s duodenum and careful examination of the digestive tract. Gastric lavage may be another test that can help determine which part of the gastrointestinal tract is bleeding.
Enteroscopy can also be used to investigate the causes of the appearance of bloody stools. It is a gastroscopy-like test. The patient is given a capsule with a camera inside, which moves through the digestive tract and records the condition of the digestive tract. Another popular test is colonoscopy, which involves inserting an endoscope in front of the patient’s anus.
If you have noticed any disturbing symptoms, make an appointment to see a specialist. You can buy an appointment for a gastroenterologist at Medonet Market.
Profuse rectal bleeding – causes
When the bleeding is heavy and contains mucus or pieces of tissue, see a specialist immediately. If symptoms persist or recur intermittently over time, rectoscopy and other rectal examinations may help. The cause of the appearance of a stool with a large amount of blood can also be ruptured hemorrhoids, but also cancer.
Find out more about the 10 symptoms that may indicate a developing cancer