How Can I Be Sure Its An Ulcer
The only way to be sure an ulcer is causing your discomfort is with a medical diagnosis. We will evaluate your medical history and conduct a thorough physical examination.
To determine the root cause of your ulcer, we may run blood, stool, or breath tests. These tests are designed to look for signs of helicobacter pylori, the bacteria linked to ulcers.
Depending on your unique symptoms, we may also order an endoscopy. During an endoscopy, we insert a tube with a tiny camera down your throat and into your stomach to take pictures of any potential damage and collect tissue samples for analysis.
Colon Cancer Or Other Serious Condition
While most instances of blood-containing stool aren’t life-threatening, its necessary to have an evaluation. Bloody stool can be a sign of a more serious condition, such as colon cancer. Let us know if you experience bleeding along with a sudden change in bowel habits. This may signal a more extensive problem elsewhere in the digestive tract.
Its important to find out the cause of blood in your stool and rule out serious digestive conditions. Left untreated, bloody stool could lead to dangerous complications. If you have any digestive complaints, call our office in Annapolis to schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.
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Other Causes And Factors
Other causes are rare. For example, some viral infections can cause a stomach ulcer. Crohn’s disease may cause a stomach ulcer in addition to other problems of the gut.
Stomach cancer may at first look similar to an ulcer. Stomach cancer is uncommon but may need to be ‘ruled out’ if you are found to have a stomach ulcer.
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Treating Helicobacter Pylori Infection
If your stomach ulcer’s caused by a Helicobacter pylori bacterial infection, you’ll be given:
- a course of antibiotics
- a medication called a proton pump inhibitor
This is also recommended if it’s thought your stomach ulcer’s caused by a combination of an H. pylori infection and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs .
Risks And Side Effects
Find a doctor right away or visit the emergency room if you also have any of these additional symptoms:
- Youve passed large amounts of blood
- Rapid heart rate
- Lightheadedness
- Weakness
Remember that beets and tomatoes can also temporary cause a reddening of the stool, so dont be alarmed if you see red stools shortly after enjoying some beets. Consuming black licorice or blueberries can temporarily cause changes in poop color. So can taking iron pills or bismuth medicines, such as Pepto Bismol.
See your doctor if you are experiencing bloody mucus in stool or mucus along with abdominal pain because these symptoms can point toward more serious problems, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohns disease and even cancer.
Always check with your doctor before starting any new supplements or making any changes to your diet if you are currently taking medication or have any ongoing health concerns. For example, licorice extract may not be right for you if you are struggling with high blood pressure.
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How Does Rectal Bleeding Appear
You might see or experience rectal bleeding in a few different ways, including:
- Seeing blood on your toilet paper when you wipe.
- Seeing blood in the bowl of the toilet when you are using the bathroom the water in the bowl might look like its been dyed red.
- Noticing dark red, black or tarry poop while you are having a bowel movement.
Rectal bleeding can be bright red or darker in color. You can also have rectal bleeding without being able to see it. This can happen when you have very small amounts of blood in your stool called occult bleeding.
Gi Bleeding In The Elderly
In the elderly , hemorrhoids and colorectal cancer are the most common causes of minor bleeding. Peptic ulcer, diverticular disease, and angiodysplasia are the most common causes of major bleeding. Approximately 35% to 45% of all cases of acute upper GI hemorrhage occur in elderly persons. These patients increasingly account for the 10% of deaths that result from a bleeding episode each year.4
Elderly patients tolerate massive GI bleeding poorly. Diagnosis must be made quickly, and treatment must be started sooner than in younger patients, who can better tolerate repeated episodes of bleeding.9
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Diagnosing A Peptic Ulcer
In addition to a health exam, doctors use the following tests to confirm the problem and determine if an ulcer is caused by H. pylori:
- Upper endoscopy
- Blood, stool, or breath testsThese are done to check for H. pylori and other problems. For blood and stool tests, small samples of your blood and stool are taken. The samples are then sent to a lab and analyzed. For a breath test, youll drink a liquid that contains a harmless compound. H. pylori causes the compound to break down and release carbon dioxide gas. By testing the air you breathe out after you drink the liquid, the doctor can tell if the bacteria are present.
Why Do I Have Bright Red Blood In My Stool
01-22-20 – Abdominal Issues, Colonoscopy, GI Articles
Maybe you noticed bloody toilet paper or the water in the toilet bowl turn red after your bowel movement. It doesnt matter how it came to your attention, discovering bright red blood in your stool can be alarming. But dont panic just yet, because it isnt necessarily something serious.
Bleeding can occur anywhere along the digestive, or gastrointestinal , tract from the mouth to the anus. The longer the blood has been present, the darker it will be by the time it is deposited in the toilet. Bright red blood usually indicates that it comes from a lower portion of the GI tract, either the colon, the rectum, or the anus itself.
Lets take a look at some of the most common issues that result in bright red blood in the stool.
For most people, bright red blood in the stool doesnt mean a terrible disease is lurking in the shadows. When it does turn out to be a more serious condition such as diverticulitis or even colorectal cancer, good treatments are available. This is why it is so important to see your doctor if you notice blood in your stool. The sooner you begin treatment, the better the opportunity to prevent disease from advancing or creating complications.
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What Causes Stomach Ulcers
Your stomach normally produces acid to help with the digestion of food and to kill germs . This acid is corrosive, so some cells on the inside lining of the stomach and the first part of the gut known as the duodenum produce a natural mucous barrier. This protects the lining of the stomach and duodenum.
There is normally a balance between the amount of acid that you make and the mucous defence barrier. An ulcer may develop if there is an alteration in this balance, allowing the acid to damage the lining of the stomach or duodenum. Causes of this include the following:
Blood In Stool Diagnosis
It is important to have a doctor evaluate any bleeding in the stool. Any details you can give about the bleeding will help your doctor locate the site of bleeding. For example, a black, tarry stool is likely an ulcer or other problem in the upper part of the digestive tract. Bright red blood or maroon-colored stools usually indicate a problem in the lower part of the digestive tract such as hemorrhoids or diverticulitis.
After getting a medical history and doing a physical exam, the health care provider may order tests to determine the cause of bleeding. Tests may include:
Nasogastric lavage. A test that may tell your doctor whether bleeding is in the upper or lower digestive tract. The procedure involves removing the contents of the stomach through a tube inserted into the stomach through the nose. If the stomach does not contain evidence of blood, the bleeding may have stopped or is more likely in the lower digestive tract.
Esophagogastroduodenoscopy . A procedure that involves inserting an endoscope, or flexible tube with a small camera on the end, through the mouth and down the esophagus to the stomach and duodenum. The doctor can use this to look for the source of bleeding. Endoscopy can also be used to collect small tissue samples for examination under a microscope .
Colonoscopy. A procedure similar to an EGD except that the scope is inserted through the rectum to view the colon. As with an EGD, colonoscopy can be used to collect tissue samples to biopsy.
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Burning Pain In Your Abdomen
This may seem like a no-brainer but the most common sign that people experience when they have a stomach ulcer is a persistent burning pain in their abdomen. This sensation occurs when juices in the stomach used for digestion come into contact with the open sore. For the most part, the pain is felt from the breastbone to navel and is often worse at night than during the day. On the other hand, if you are someone who frequently skips meals, you may find that you experience this pain much throughout the daytime.
Reasons For Blood In Stool:
Rectal Bleeding or Hematochezia is a condition in which the patient releases blood in the stool. Rectal bleeding can also be a symptom of some serious diseases.
Here are some common reasons behind blood in the stool.
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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.
How Common Are Stomach Ulcers
It’s not known exactly how common stomach ulcers are. They have become much less common since the 1980s because of much more effective treatments. So people with stomach ulcers now usually get better much more quickly.
The term ‘peptic ulcer’ is used to describe ulcers that are caused by too much acid in the stomach. This includes stomach ulcers and also ulcers in the first part of the gut known as the duodenum. Stomach ulcers are less common than duodenal ulcers.
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Upper Gastrointestinal Endoscopy And Biopsy
In an upper GI endoscopy, a gastroenterologist, surgeon, or other trained health care professional uses an endoscope to see inside your upper GI tract. This procedure takes place at a hospital or an outpatient center.
An intravenous needle will be placed in your arm to provide a sedative. Sedatives help you stay relaxed and comfortable during the procedure. In some cases, the procedure can be performed without sedation. You will be given a liquid anesthetic to gargle or spray anesthetic on the back of your throat. The doctor will carefully feed the endoscope down your esophagus and into your stomach and duodenum. A small camera mounted on the endoscope sends a video image to a monitor, allowing close examination of the lining of your upper GI tract. The endoscope pumps air into your stomach and duodenum, making them easier to see.
The doctor may perform a biopsy with the endoscope by taking a small piece of tissue from the lining of your esophagus. You wont feel the biopsy. A pathologist examines the tissue in a lab.
How Is Diverticulosis Treated
People who have diverticulosis without symptoms or complications do not need specific treatment, yet it is important to adopt a high-fiber diet to prevent the further formation of diverticula.
Laxatives should not be used to treat diverticulosis and enemas should also be avoided or used infrequently.
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Treating A Peptic Ulcer
Medications are the most common treatment for peptic ulcers are:
- Antibiotics. These kill H. pylori bacteria. In many cases, youll need to take at least two types of antibiotics.
- Proton pump inhibitors. These block your stomach from making any acid.
- H2 blockers. These reduce the amount of acid your stomach makes.
- Bismuth subsalicylate. This helps protect the lining of your stomach and duodenum from acid.
In severe cases, other treatments will likely be done. These may include procedures with an endoscope or surgery. Your doctor will tell you more about these treatments, if needed.
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.
- Fainting.
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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How Is Diverticulitis Diagnosed
If you are experiencing the symptoms of diverticulitis, it is important to see your doctor.
Your doctor will ask questions about your medical history and perform a physical exam, possibly including an abdominal exam.
One or more diagnostic tests may be ordered. Tests usually include blood tests and CT scanning.
In people with rapid, heavy rectal bleeding, the doctor may order a colonoscopy to locate the source of bleeding.
Peptic Ulcer And Bloody Stools
July 3, 2011 by rfcamat
As mentioned earlier, peptic ulcer happens if there are abnormalities involving the intestines. Peptic ulcer happens once the lining surrounding and protecting the intestines thin down. Once the lining breaks, there will be a formation of ulcer.
Most ulcers go undetected since they happen within the first lining. Once the lining gets thinner, a hole called perforation will be developed. If this happens, this warrants immediate medical concern.
What makes a person at risk for developing peptic ulcer is if the stomach is infected by the Helicobacter pylori bacteria. Even though most people have this bacteria living in their body, not all lead to peptic ulcer unless the person is guilty of the following:
- Too much alcohol intake
- Constant use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as naproxen, ibuprofen, and aspirin
- Smoking cigarettes or tobacco
- Undergoing radiation treatments
It is also said that high stress levels can lead to peptic ulcer. But there are no clinical studies up to date that supports this claim.
Most common signs and symptoms of peptic ulcer
Bloody stools can mean anything. Before a patient concludes peptic ulcer, here are other signs and symptoms that can happen as well that the patient needs to watch out for:
- Discomfort and pain in the upper abdomen
- Pain in the abdominal area that is very disturbing at night
- Nausea
- Chest pain
- Weight loss
Proper diagnosis of peptic ulcer
Treatment options
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