What Does It Mean To Have Bloody Poop?

 

Certain changes do not cause concern regarding your bowel movements, but blood spotted in your stool, toilet paper, or toilet bowl could indicate a serious medical issue.

Several causes of bloody stool, such as ulcers, anal fissures, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or colorectal cancer, may all contribute to the condition.

When figuring out how to improve the bleeding, it may be helpful for you to understand the possible root cause of your bloody stool and any associated symptoms.

 

Even so, it is highly recommended that you seek the assistance of a health care provider as soon as you notice blood in your stool, especially if you have any other or more severe symptoms such as a nasal discharge, vomiting, or severe abdominal pain along with it.

Causes Of Blood In Stool

A variety of factors can cause stools with blood. Blood in your stool can tell your healthcare provider where the bleeding occurs if you identify its colour. If bleeding from your colon or rectum, your stool usually reveals bright red blood. However, dark red blood may indicate colon or small intestine bleeding.

There is a possibility of bleeding in the stomach when the stool is red-brown or tar-like.

Anal Fissure

An anal fissure is a tear in the canal that houses the muscles that control your bowel movements.

 

Anal fissures can cause the following conditions in addition to anal spasms and discomfort:

 

• Pain that gets worse during bowel movements
  
  
• Bright red bleeding or blood in stool
  
  
• Constipation

 

The formation of anal fissures may be triggered by prolonged diarrhoea or hard stool passing.

 

It is possible to heal anal fissures by changing certain lifestyle habits, such as drinking plenty of water and eating plenty of fibre.

 

Hemorrhoids

The anus and rectum are affected by haemorrhoids when their veins and blood vessels become irritated and swollen.

 

In addition to pregnancy, straining during bowel movements, and chronic constipation and diarrhoea, haemorrhoids can also be caused by several factors.

 

Symptoms of haemorrhoids include:

 

• Anus pain and irritation
  
  
• Blood in stool with a bright red colour
  
  
• The anus is swollen or lumpy
  
  
• An itching sensation

 

The severity of your haemorrhoids, your health, and your age all play a role in treating haemorrhoids. A warm water sitz bath, ice packs, or haemorrhoid cream may be recommended by your provider to ease your pain and symptoms.

 

Surgery may be necessary in more severe cases.

 

Anal Abscesses Or Fistulas 

An anal abscess or fistula can develop when the small glands inside the anus become infected. Abscesses are glands that have accumulated pus, and fistulas are tiny tunnels connecting abscesses to the skin.

 

Many conditions can cause anal abscesses or fistulas, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), tuberculosis, and radiation treatments. In most cases, a fistula requires surgery.

Diverticulosis And Diverticulitis

Various conditions affect the large intestine, including diverticulosis and diverticulitis.

 

A diverticulum is a small bulge or pocket (or "diverticula") in the colon; it usually does not cause symptoms.

 

Diverticulitis, however, can result from diverticulosis, inflammation, and infection of one or more diverticula.

 

Diverticulitis can cause the following symptoms:

 

• Lower left abdominal pain, tenderness, or sensitivity
  
  
• Abdominal cramps
  
  
• Constipation
  
  
• Nausea or vomiting
  
  
• Blood in stool
  
  
• Diarrhea (less common)
  
  
• Chills
  
  
• Fever
  
  If you have diverticulitis, you can treat it with various measures, depending on the severity of your condition.

 

If the infection is diagnosed, your provider may recommend antibiotics, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, or surgery.

 

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are examples of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) are examples of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

 

Common IBD symptoms include:

 

• Blood or mucus in the stool (often diarrhea)
  
  
• Anxiety
  
  
• Nausea and vomiting (more common in Crohn’s)
  
  
• Constipation (more common with UC)
  
  
• Painful bowel movements
  
  
• Fever
  
  
• Dehydration
  
  
• Abdominal pain

 

Even though IBD has no known cure, some medications can help manage symptoms. These include antibiotics, biologics, anti-inflammatory medications, and corticosteroids.

 

Ulcers

There are various types of peptic ulcers, including ones in the stomach or duodenum. Several factors can cause an ulcer, including infection, long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), or food digestion acids damaging the stomach or intestines. It is also possible for ulcers to bleed, resulting in dark red or black stools and burning stomach pain.

 

Peptic ulcers can be treated with several medications.

 

Large Polyps

Colon polyp refers to a growth on the lining of the large intestine, whether flat, slightly raised, or on a stalk.

 

Genes in colon cells cause them to grow.

 

It is common for polyps to cause no symptoms at their earliest stages. Different screening procedures, such as colonoscopies, sigmoidoscopies, and CT scans, are used to detect them.

 

When symptoms do occur, they can include:

 

• Stools with blood
  
  
• Loss of weight or anemia
  
  
• Changing patterns of bowel movements
  
  
• Inflammation of the abdomen (rare)

 

Your provider will be responsible for removing a polyp for testing to determine its type, which will determine your treatment. Cancer can develop from colon polyps if left untreated.

 

Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)

Syphilis, chlamydia, herpes simplex virus, and gonorrhea are some sexually transmitted infections that can cause rectal bleeding.

 

Ask your provider which testing option is right for you if you are sexually active, experiencing rectal bleeding, and have not been screened recently for STIs.

 

Colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer can cause bloody stool in rare cases.

 

The following symptoms may also be present if additional symptoms are present:

 

• Pressure or pain in the rectal area
  
  
• Blood in stool, underwear, or toilet paper that is bright red, maroon, or black
  
  
• Uncertainty of mind
  
  
• A feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness
  
  
• The fainting feeling

 

You should contact your healthcare provider as soon as possible if you experience any of the above symptoms.

 

Diagnosis

Diagnosing rectal bleeding requires speaking with a medical professional.

Your provider will likely ask several questions about your symptoms and health history.

An examination of your rectum and anus may be performed after your provider better understands what's going on.

 

There may be additional testing involved, such as:

 

• A colonoscopy
  
  
• A sigmoidoscopy
  
  
• A fecal occult blood test

Treatment

Your bloody stool and/or rectal bleeding will be treated differently depending on the cause.

 

You should consult a medical provider if you experience symptoms for more information.

 

Adults vs. Children

Adults can have blood in their stool due to one of the causes we have discussed.

 

Blood in stool is most commonly caused by:

 

• Strep skin infection
  
  
• Bacterial diarrhoea
  
  
• Anal fissures
  
  
• Cow’s milk colitis

 

You should contact your pediatrician within 24 hours if your child has small blood in their stool but no other symptoms.

 

In addition to the above symptoms, children should seek medical attention immediately if they experience the following:

 

• A bruise that is not caused by an injury to the skin
  
  
• If your child is less than 12 weeks old
  
  
• Pink or tea-coloured urine
  
  
• Stomach pain
  
  
• Bloody diarrhoea

 

When To See A Doctor

You should seek medical attention if you notice bloody stool, especially if it persists over several days. Bloody stools can be caused by many things, from mild to severe.

 

Adults should seek immediate medical attention if they experience the following symptoms:

 

• Blood pressure suddenly drops
  
  
• An elevated heart rate
  
  
• Urination problems
  
  
• Insomnia
  
  
• Fainting

 

FAQ’s

 

Is Bloody Stool An Emergency?

You should consult your healthcare provider if you have bloody stool, even if it is not an emergency. You should seek emergency medical attention if you experience more severe symptoms, such as fainting, a fast heartbeat, vomiting, or black stools.

What Is Bloody Stool A Symptom Of?

Several conditions can cause bloody stools or rectal bleeding, including haemorrhoids, anal fissures, ulcers, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

 

Why Am I Pooping Blood With No Pain?

Blood in the stool without pain may indicate haemorrhoids or swollen blood vessels in the abdominal or rectum. Rectal bleeding caused by haemorrhoids is often painless and bright red. If you may have haemorrhoids, contact your provider for more information about treatment options.

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