Bright blood in the stool can be frightening, whether you discover it while wiping after a defecation or from a test purchased by your healthcare provider. While blood in stool can signify a severe problem, it doesn’t constantly. Here’s what you have to understand about the possible causes of bloody stools and what you — and your doctor — must do if you find an issue.
Bright blood in the stool suggests there is bleeding somewhere in your digestion tract. Often the quantity of blood is so small that it can just be spotted by a fecal occult test (which look for concealed blood in the stool). At other times it may visible on toilet tissue or in the toilet after a bowel movement as bright red blood. Bleeding that happens higher up in the gastrointestinal tract might make stool appear black and tarry.
Possible causes of bright blood in stool consist of:
Diverticular Disease
Diverticula are small pouches that predict from the colon wall. Typically diverticula don’t cause problems, but sometimes they can bleed or end up being infected.
Anal Fissure
A little cut or tear in the tissue lining the rectum similar to the fractures that take place in chapped lips or a paper cut. Fissures are frequently brought on by passing a large, difficult stool and can be painful.
Colitis
Inflammation of the colon. Among the more typical causes are infections or inflammatory bowel disease.
Angiodysplasia
A condition where delicate, irregular capillary result in bleeding, most of the time with light-red color.
Peptic Ulcers
An open sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, the upper end of the little intestine. Many peptic ulcers are brought on by infection with a germs called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Long-lasting use or high dosages of anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can also cause ulcers.
Polyps or Cancer
Polyps are benign growths that can grow, bleed, and end up being malignant. Colorectal cancer is the fourth most typical cancer in the United States. It typically causes bleeding that is not noticeable with the naked eye.
Esophageal Problems
Varicose veins of the esophagus or tears in the esophagus can lead to severe blood loss.
How to React to Bright Red Blood in Stool
A doctor might use one of numerous methods to stop acute bleeding. Frequently endoscopy is used to inject chemicals into the site of bleeding, treat the bleeding site with an electric existing or laser, or apply a band or clip to close the bleeding vessel. If endoscopy does not control bleeding, the doctor may use angiography to inject medicine into the blood vessels to control bleeding.
Beyond stopping the instant bleeding, if required, treatment involves resolving the reason for bleeding to keep it from returning. Treatment varies depending upon the cause and might include medications such as antibiotics to treat H. pylori, ones to reduce acid in the stomach, or anti-inflammatory drugs to treat colitis. Surgery may be had to remove polyps or the parts of the colon harmed by cancer, diverticulitis, or inflammatory bowel disease.
Depending upon the cause, nevertheless, treatment may include simple things you can do by yourself. These consisting of eating a high-fiber diet to ease constipation that can cause and worsen hemorrhoids and anal cracks, and being in warm or hot baths to relieve fissures.
