What Causes Bleeding From The Rectal Area
There are many causes of rectal bleeding. Common causes include hemorrhoids, , diverticulosis, infection, inflammation , blood vessel problems . Other causes of rectal bleeding include polyps, tumors, trauma, an upper gastrointestinal source like stomach ulcers, and Meckelâs diverticulum . Ischemia of the bowel occurs when blood flow to the bowel reduces or stops. For example, ischemic colitis usually occurs at the junction of the transverse and descending colon and can produce bright red or maroon blood. This article provides some of the details of the major causes of rectal bleeding.
Why Is My Poop Black/red
Essentially, the brighter red blood is fresher and is associated with the lower gastrointestinal tract. The dark red or black blood is old blood that has already travelled through the GI system for some time. It is associated with the upper GI tract, originating from as far back as the stomach, potentially .
What Is Rectal Bleeding
Looking down into a toilet and seeing blood can be alarming. Your mind might go to many places as alarm bells ring that something is wrong. This is often rectal bleeding. A symptom of many different medical conditions, rectal bleeding can vary from being mild to being a sign of a serious condition like colorectal cancer. If youre experiencing rectal bleeding, you might see blood in a few different ways on your toilet paper as you wipe, in the water of the toilet bowl or in your poop. It can be different colors, ranging from bright red to a dark maroon to black.
The color of blood you see can actually indicate where the bleeding might be coming from.
- Bright red blood usually means bleeding thats low in your colon or rectum.
- Dark red or maroon blood can mean that you have bleeding higher in the colon or in the small bowel.
- Melena often points to bleeding in the stomach, such as bleeding from ulcers.
Sometimes, rectal bleeding isnt visible to the naked eye and can only be seen through a microscope. This type of bleeding is usually found during a lab test of a stool sample.
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Is Blood In Your Stools Serious
Often, blood in stool is a sign of hemorrhoids or piles. In some cases, however, it can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as bowel cancer or internal bleeding.
It is always best to check with a doctor if you notice blood in your stool. If you do not have blood in your stool, but there is a family history of bowel cancer, ask about screening.
How Do You Treat Ulcers
There are a few things that you can do to relieve the symptoms of stomach ulcers. Avoiding spicy and fatty foods, managing stress, using over-the-counter antacids, and stopping the use of NSAIDs may provide relief. Your doctor may treat your peptic ulcer by prescribing antibiotics, or medications to block or reduce acid production.
Its important to know when you should seek care for stomach pain. Persistent abdominal pain that does not go away can indicate an underlying health problem.
Talk to your doctor if you experience frequent abdominal pain, or abdominal pain that does not go away, if you feel faint or have trouble breathing with abdominal pain, or if you have blood in your vomit or stool.
Your primary care doctor can help determine the best action to take, which may include a referral to a gastroenterologist: a physician that specializes in diagnosing and treating digestive diseases.
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What Are Rectal Ulcers
These ulcers are related to several different conditions. People who have a condition called solitary rectal ulcer syndrome can develop rectal ulcers. Inflammatory bowel disease , including ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease, may also cause ulcers to form in the rectum and intestines. Constipation and straining during a bowel movement can cause rectal ulcers to develop as well.
Signs of a rectal ulcer may include:
- Blood in the stool.
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What Is The Prognosis For People With Gastritis
Most cases of gastritis improve quickly with treatment. For most people, medications relieve gastritis. Your healthcare provider will recommend the most appropriate treatment based on whats causing gastritis. Antacids reduce stomach acid, while antibiotics clear up bacterial infections. You can also make changes like reducing your alcohol consumption and managing pain without NSAIDs.
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How Are Stomach Ulcers Diagnosed
Diagnosis and treatment will depend on your symptoms and the severity of your ulcer. To diagnose a stomach ulcer, your doctor will review your medical history along with your symptoms and any prescription or over-the-counter medications youre taking.
To rule out H. pylori infection, a blood, stool, or breath test may be ordered. With a breath test, youll be instructed to drink a clear liquid and breathe into a bag, which is then sealed. If H. pylori is present, the breath sample will contain higher-than-normal levels of carbon dioxide.
Other tests and procedures used to diagnose stomach ulcers include:
- Barium swallow: You drink a thick white liquid that coats your upper gastrointestinal tract and helps your doctor see your stomach and small intestine on X-rays.
- Endoscopy : A thin, lighted tube is inserted through your mouth and into the stomach and the first part of the small intestine. This test is used to look for ulcers, bleeding, and any tissue that looks abnormal.
- Endoscopic biopsy: A piece of stomach tissue is removed so it can be analyzed in a lab.
What Is The Difference Between Peptic Ulcers Gerd And Gastritis
Peptic ulcers are holes or lesions that form due to too much acid. GERD, which stands for gastroesophageal reflux disease, occurs when a persons stomach acid repeatedly backs up into the esophagus. Gastritis is a group of conditions that cause inflammation in the stomach. While all of these conditions affect the stomach, they are not the same and require different treatments.
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Signs You May Have An Ulcer
Did you know that stomach ulcers also called peptic ulcers affect at least 1 in 10 Americans over the course of their lives? And while stomach ulcers can be treated easily when caught early, lack of medical care can lead to serious complications.
Understanding the signs of stomach ulcers is important in helping you get the treatment you need. At Prima Medicine in Fairfax and South Riding, Virginia, our care team has the experience and knowledge to diagnose and treat stomach ulcers. Weve curated this guide to help you recognize the warning signs of an ulcer and understand what you can do about it.
Digestive Changes In Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis is a chronic condition, meaning it comes on slowly over a long period of time. Currently, there is no known cure for UC.
With UC, inflammation and ulcers develop on the lining of the large intestine . Sometimes the rectum is affected, as well.
This inflammation can cause changes in bowel habits, including urgency, diarrhea, blood or mucus in the stool, and abdominal pain. When your large intestine is inflamed, it contracts and empties often, which is why you may have urgent bowel movements and diarrhea.
When chronic inflammation damages the lining of your colon, ulcers can develop. The ulcers can bleed, leading to blood in your stool. If you regularly lose a lot of blood in your stool, you might develop anemia .
Though diarrhea is more common, some people with UC experience constipation. Inflammation limited to the rectum, known as ulcerative proctitis, may result in constipation.
Other symptoms of UC include painful bowel movements, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, unintentional weight loss, and fever.
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What Tests Are There For A Stomach Ulcer
If your doctor thinks you may have a stomach ulcer, the initial tests will include some blood tests. These tests will help to check whether you have become anaemic because of any bleeding from the ulcer. The blood test will also check to see that your liver and pancreas are working properly.
The main tests that are then used to diagnose a stomach ulcer are as follows:
- A test to detect the H. pylori germ is usually done if you have a stomach ulcer. The H. pylori bacterium can be detected in a sample of stool , or in a breath test, or from a blood test, or from a biopsy sample taken during a gastroscopy. See the separate leaflet called Helicobacter Pylori for more details.
- Gastroscopy is the test that can confirm a stomach ulcer. Gastroscopy is usually done as an outpatient day case. You may be given a sedative to help you to relax. In this test, a doctor looks inside your stomach by passing a thin, flexible telescope down your gullet . The doctor will then be able to see any inflammation or ulcers in your stomach.
- Small samples are usually taken of the tissue in and around the ulcer during gastroscopy. These are sent to the laboratory to be looked at under the microscope. This is important because some ulcers are caused by stomach cancer. However, most stomach ulcers are not caused by cancer.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Rectal Bleeding
The symptoms of rectal bleeding can vary depending on what is causing the bleeding. Most causes of rectal bleeding are treatable and not serious. In some cases, rectal bleeding can be a symptom of a serious disease, such as colorectal cancer. Because it can be hard to know the cause of your rectal bleeding at home, its usually a good idea to reach out to your healthcare provider if you have rectal bleeding.
Some symptoms you might have with rectal bleeding can include:
- Feeling rectal pain and/or pressure.
- Seeing bright red blood in or on your stool, underwear, toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.
- Having stool thats red, maroon or black in color.
- Having stool that has a tar-like appearance.
- Experiencing mental confusion.
- Feeling lightheaded or dizzy.
In some very severe cases, rectal bleeding can lead to shock. If you experience any symptoms of shock, call 911 right away and get help. The symptoms of shock can include:
- Experiencing a sudden drop in your blood pressure.
- Having a fast heart rate.
- Not being able to urinate.
- Slipping into unconsciousness.
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Why You Should Never Ignore Blood In Your Stool
Its perfectly normal to feel concerned if you spot blood in your stool or on the toilet paper after wiping. Bloody stool isnt a normal occurrence and should be evaluated immediately. Whether you notice a faint red streak or dark blood in your stool, it can be a sign that something is amiss. If you ignore the symptom, whatever condition is causing it may get worse, so getting in to see a gastroenterologist can help get to the bottom of things.
At Digestive Disorders Associates, we see patients with a wide variety of digestive complaints and can provide a comprehensive evaluation for issues such as bloody stools. Sometimes theres an innocent explanation for finding blood in your stool. The only way to know for sure is to have a thorough examination.
Here are some of the possible reasons behind bloody stools.
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Are There Any Foods That Can Change The Color Of My Stool In A Similar Way To Rectal Bleeding
There are certain foods that can make your poop an unusual color. You can have green, yellow and even black stool. This can happen for a variety of reasons having too much bile during digestion, having a medical condition like inflammatory bowel disease or celiac disease, being on antibiotics, or even just eating foods with strong color pigments.
Often, blood can make your stool look very dark and almost black. Foods like black licorice, beets, dark berries and red gelatin can all make your poop look very dark. This can easily be confused for blood in your stool. If you notice very dark poop during a bowel movement, think back to what you ate recently. Theres a chance that what you ate could be the cause for the usually dark stool.
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What Are The Symptoms Of A Peptic Ulcer
A dull or burning pain in your stomach is the most common symptom of a peptic ulcer. You may feel the pain anywhere between your belly button and breastbone. The pain most often
- happens when your stomach is emptysuch as between meals or during the night
- stops briefly if you eat or if you take antacids
- lasts for minutes to hours
- comes and goes for several days, weeks, or months
Less common symptoms may include
- feeling sick to your stomach
Even if your symptoms are mild, you may have a peptic ulcer. You should see your doctor to talk about your symptoms. Without treatment, your peptic ulcer can get worse.
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Symptoms Of Peptic Ulcer Disease
The most common symptom is a burning pain in your stomach. It usually lasts for a few minutes to a few hours. It comes and goes for days or weeks at a time. The burning typically occurs between meals and at night. Small ulcers may cause no symptoms.
Other symptoms can include:
- Difficulty drinking as much liquid as usual
- Hunger or an empty feeling in your stomach after you eat
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Increase Dietary Fiber And Fluid Intake
According to the PubMed Health, fiber can help to soften stool and make them easier to pass. This can help to ease digestive discomfort and prevent conditions like constipation that can lead to enlarged hemorrhoids. It was reported that increased fiber in the diet also reduces the frequency of rectal bleeding and bloody stools.17
Always increase fiber slowly to prevent uncomfortable side effects, such as gas and bloating, constipation, diarrhea and abdominal pain.
For more information on how to increase dietary fiber in your diet and alleviate many digestive conditions, please read my articles about the best foods to cleanse your colon and how to effectively cleanse your colon with only 2 ingredients.
Understanding Minor Rectal Bleeding
This information was developed by the Publications Committee of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy . For more information about ASGE, visit www.asge.org.
This information is intended only to provide general guidance. It does not provide definitive medical advice. It is important that you consult your doctor about your specific condition.
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Minor rectal bleeding refers to the passage of a few drops of bright red blood from the rectum, which may appear on the stool, on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.
This brochure addresses minor rectal bleeding that occurs from time to time. Continuous passage of significantly greater amounts of blood from the rectum or stools that appear black, tarry or maroon in color can be caused by other diseases that will not be discussed here. Call your doctor immediately if these more serious conditions occur. Because there are several possible causes for minor rectal bleeding, a complete evaluation and early diagnosis by your doctor is very important. Rectal bleeding, whether it is minor or not, can be a symptom of colon cancer, a type of cancer that can be cured if detected early.
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What Is The Treatment For Ulcers
If you have ulcer symptoms, see your doctor. Prompt treatment can prevent excessive bleeding and other complications.
Ulcers are usually diagnosed after an upper GI endoscopy . An endoscope is a long flexible tube with a light and camera on the end. The tube is inserted into your throat, then to the esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine. Learn how to prepare for an endoscopy here.
Generally performed as an outpatient procedure, it allows the doctor to locate and identify problems in the stomach and upper intestine.
Bleeding ulcers must be addressed quickly, and treatment can start during the initial endoscopy. If bleeding from ulcers is found during the endoscopy, the doctor can:
- inject medication directly
- cauterize the ulcer to stop the bleeding
- clamp off the bleeding vessel
If you have an ulcer, youll be tested for H. pylori. This can be done using a tissue sample taken during the endoscopy. It can also be accomplished with noninvasive tests such as a stool sample or breath test.
If you have the infection, antibiotics and other drugs can help fight the bacteria and ease symptoms. To be certain you get rid of it, you must finish taking the medication as directed, even if your symptoms stop.
If your ulcers are the result of taking too many NSAIDs, work with your doctor to find another medication to treat pain.
Over-the-counter antacids sometimes relieve symptoms. Ask your doctor if its okay to take antacids.
Treatment For Blood In Your Stool And Anemia
Some anti-inflammatory drugs can help manage, or even stop, bleeding. So blood in your stools might be a sign you need to talk to your doctor about tweaking your meds.
Too much blood loss can cause anemia, which means you donât have enough blood to transport oxygen through your body. About 1 in 3 people with UC have anemia. Symptoms include:
- Cold feet and hands
UC leads to anemia because blood loss makes you lose iron your body needs. Also, when your intestines swell over time, your body has a hard time absorbing iron, as well as other key vitamins and minerals like folic acid and B12.
Your doctor will likely treat your anemia with iron supplements, changes to your diet, or even a blood transfusion. You might continue to take iron supplements to prevent anemia in the future.
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