Blood in stool is often discovered with some perplexity, accompanied best by exclamations of bloody (the adjective, not the expletive). Excrement are coated with scarlet red specks of blood. Toilet tissue is smeared by maroon red blotches of blood. Bright red spots of blood dribble into the toilet bowl or down the legs. A sudden surge of alarm causes our hearts to jump a beat or two.

It is definitely overhasty to panic for any number of 7 possibilities could explain the rectal bleeding. Careful attention to ensure early detection and proper treatment will ease any troublesome lifestyle changes as the greater number of the 7 causes are treatable. But complacency is not being advocated. Start paying close attention. Without delay, consult your doctor if bleeding and pain drags on for over a week.

Relevant treatment can be rendered to solve the problem once rigorous diagnosis identifies the exact illness. More calamitously, blood in stool may be the result of some kind of cancer.

Melena and Hematochezia

Doctors refer to rectal bleeding as either melena (black colored tarry or sticky stools) or hematochezia (maroon or bright red colored blood). Rectal bleeding may leave via the rectum but the root cause may be in the colon (large intestine) or the small intestine. Cancer, colon polyps, diverticulosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, intestinal ischaemia and peptic ulcer are the 7 known causes in the colon.

Colorectal Cancer

This is the third most frequent form of cancer on earth and the third most common reason behind of cancer-related death with a fatality toll close to 640,000 annually. It is the reason why one must see a doctor for continual blood in stool.

Tumours in the colon, appendix and rectum are classified as colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy (visual inspection by micro-camera inserted via the anus) is the chief means of finding colorectal cancer. Treatment focuses on surgical excision and chemotherapy. Early discovery often leads to a complete cure. Those over 50 and those with family history of cancers are classified under the higher risk group. Colorectal cancer is gender blind, striking both women and men, with no distinct bias for either sex..

It is important to know this next bit of information. Quite unlike what is published elsewhere, colorectal cancer typically renders occult (not visible to the naked eye) blood in feces i.e it is NOT a normal cause of visible blood in stool! Bleeding caused by colorectal cancer may be visible or occult (undetectable by the naked eye), needing special tests for detection; this based on work done by the University of Michigan Health System. Important associated symptoms to watch out for are constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, appetite loss, weight loss and constant fatigue.

Colon Polyp

Raised or flat, polyps are usually benign growths on the rectum or intestinal walls. Those above 50 years of age and with a family history of polyps and colorectal cancer are predisposed to polyps. Smoking, alcohol, obesity and lack of exercise are contributory causal factors. In truth, the actual cause has not been established.

For safety sake, benign polyps are typically excised during colonoscopy as they may turn malignant. Many people who have polyps exhibit no symptoms at all. But on occasion, blood in stool does take place.

Diverticulosis

This is the development of pouches or pockets (diverticula), stretching out of the colon wall. Abnormal colon pressure is assumed to be the cause of diverticula growth. Ancillary factors include a lack of dietary fiber. If food gets trapped in diverticula, infection may set in causing diverticulitis. Complications from diverticulitis can ensue if a diseased diverticulum ruptures and disseminates bacteria to the abdominal cavity lining. The possibly fatal peritonitis can materialise.

Symptoms, if at all, are seldom noticeable. Some may feel symptoms of constipation, bloating and mild cramps. Yet others suffer more intensely, including nausea, vomiting and rectal bleeding as the most common symptoms. The prospect of peritonitis emphasises the need that blood in stool should in the first instance be examined by a doctor. A CT (computed tomography) scan is 98% efficacious in diagnosing diverticulitis.

Ulcerative Colitis

Colitis is categorized as an inflammatory bowel disease, a group of inflammatory conditions of the small intestine and the large intestine (colon). Inflammation in itself is a positive reaction of the human body to heal itself in the event of a wounding of its tissue. Tissue regenerated by the inflammation process can also be injured by it if the process becomes unfettered. Ulcers cause colitis in the colon by wearing away the mucous membrane lining.

Among other symptoms, blood in stool is common. Identifying colitis as the reason for rectal bleeding is critical as it can result in perforation of the colon and ultimately, peritonitis.

Crohn’s Disease

Crohn’s disease is an auto-immune disease whereby the body’s immune system induces harmful inflammation by attacking the gastrointestinal tract. It can develop in any part of of the gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus. However, the large intestine (colon) and small intestine, are the usual sites~But it typically affects the small and large intestine (colon)~The small and large intestine (colon), however, are the usual afflicted areas.

Absolute causes are not known but it is believed to be due to one or all of several factors including industrial environmental exposure, genetic makeup and smoking. The symptoms are blood in stool, abdominal cramps, severe bloody diarrhea, blood on toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl, fever and weight loss.

Crohn’s disease, also known as granulomatous colitis, can go into abeyance and happen again occasionally on a life-long basis. There is at present no known medical cure, whether pharmaceutical or surgical. Early diagnosis is important for efficacious management of the symptoms and thwarting relapses.

Intestinal Ischemia

The restriction of blood supply to any part of the body is termed as ischemia. Tissue damage ensues due to the denial of nutrients and oxygen by dysfunctional blood vessels. Ischemic colitis or intestinal ischemia is the inflammation of the large intestine from the lack of blood supply which result from low blood pressure, blood vessel constriction or blood clots.

Symptoms include blood in stool, urgent and violent bowel movements, weight loss, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, abdominal bloating and fever. Immediate medical attention is warranted to rejuvenate intestinal blood supply if there is serious constant pain. Circumventing clogged blood vessels and removing blood clots and damaged tissue may necessitate surgery. Medications include anticoagulants to arrest blood clot formation and antibiotics to treat infections.

Peptic Ulcer

Found in the gastrointestinal tract, this is an extremely painful ulcer. An ulcer is an deterioration of the mucosal membrane that is at least 0.5cm in diameter. The duodenum (initial part of the small intestine), and not the stomach, is where peptic ulcers are mostly found. The chief cause is postulated to be a bacterium that inflicts chronic gastritis that develops into ulcer formation.

Symptoms include blood in stool (melena), vomiting of blood, appetite and weight loss, bloating, nausea and more seriously, intestinal perforation. Peritonitis, potentially life-threatening, may manifest and need emergency surgery. Acidity and bacteria, in milder cases, can be treated by antacids and antibiotics respectively.

Hemorrhoids

If any of the 7 above causes is the reason for rectal bleeding, then it can only be ascertained by a precise diagnosis by a doctor. Suitable treatment and medication, possibly including surgery, can advance the path to recovery.

Having come this far, you may find comfort, ironically, in finding that the most usual causes of blood in stool are hemorrhoids.

Further Reading

If you are interested in finding more about this topic, we have a related post on Bowel Movement Bleeding – Six Possible Causes Of Rectal Bleeding at our site. Do check this out.