Many people who notice blood in their stools either dismiss the symptom or are too embarrassed to tell their doctors about it. However, having blood in your stools is not something that should be dismissed. Blood in stools can be a symptom of medical problems and conditions, some of which can be serious.
If you notice blood in your stools and you feel lightheaded or dizzy, it can indicate an emergency. In similar situations, visit the nearest hospital and have yourself checked. You need to also visit the emergency department if you have severe stomach pain and heavy bleeding in the rectum.
If there is blood in the stool and weight loss, this can be indicative of a condition that requires treatment. If there is trauma to the area, a foreign object or an injury are likely causes. It is best to have yourself checked immediately.
What Blood in the Stool is Appears Like
Blood in the stool can be black, dark red, or bright red. Its appearance will depend on where it’s coming from. If the blood or bleeding is from the lower rectum or the anus, red blood spots can appear in the toilet bowl, underwear, or in the toilet paper.
If the blood is mixed with the stool, this can indicate the source is from high up in the bowel. If the stool is black and looks like tar, it suggests that the blood originated from high up in the person’s bowel.
Blood in the Stools: Possible Causes
Blood in the stools can be attributed to several causes, including:
- Prolapse (this occurs when a part of the rectum will stick out of the person’s anus)
- Fistula (this refers to an opening in the anus or rectum that is not normal)
- Anal fissures (these are small cracks found in the anus that are very painful)
- Inflammatory bowel disease (i.e., ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease)
- Colorectal polyps (these are small growths than can potentially become cancerous)
- Hemorrhoids
- Bowel cancer
- Diverticular disease
- Bowel infections
- Injury
Blood in Stools: Tests to Find the Underlying Cause
Patients with blood in their stools will be examined by the doctor. Some tests will also be recommended. The suitable test will be based on several important factors such as medical history, symptoms, and the patient’s age. Some of the possible that might be recommended include:
- Gastroscopy. A tube will be inserted through the patient’s mouth to examine the stomach, esophagus, and the parts of the small intestine.
- Anoscopy. This procedure is done using a camera in a tube. Anoscopy can view the lower rectum and the last 5cm of the patient’s anus.
- Rectal examination. Doctors will look and examine the anal canal, rectum, and the nearby organs like the bladder and prostate.
- Colonoscopy. A camera located within a tube is used to examine the patient’s entire colon.
- Sigmoidoscopy. This procedure uses a camera to check the sigmoid colon (or lower large intestine) and the rectum.
How Blood in the Stools is Treated
Treatment for blood in the stools will depend on the underlying medical issue that is causing the symptom. For instance, if the blood in the stools is caused by anal fissure or hemorrhoids, lifestyle or diet changes might be recommended. However, in some instances, surgery might also be required.
If the bleeding or blood in the stools is caused by a hemorrhage (i.e., in patients with diverticular disease), emergency surgery might be recommended. If polyps is seen during colonoscopy, the doctor might remove it.
For patients diagnosed with bowel cancer, more invasive and urgent treatments might be recommended including radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or surgery.
