blood in stool Archives - Healthhype

Bloody Stool – Causes and Other Symptoms

Dr. Chris — Thu, 07 Jan 2016 23:24:51 +0000

The sight of blood is always a cause for concern even if there are no other symptoms. When it is seen in the stool, even if diarrhea is not present, it can be a very serious sign. Bloody stool should always be medically investigated, especially if it is a recurrent or persistent occurrence. What is Bloody Stool? Bloody stool is the presence of blood in stool. Usually it is visible either tainting the toilet water and feces in a red color, or may be evident upon wiping the anus after defecation. Despite the presence of blood, the stool may be normal in color, consistency and frequency. The causes of bloody stool may not always be the same as bloody diarrhea and sometimes the former is more serious. Signs and Symptoms Blood stool is a sign of bleeding usually within the lower gastrointestinal tract. It is not a disease on its own, but rather a symptom of some underlying disease. Similarly other signs and symptoms may also be present. However, it is possible for bloody stool to occur on its own without any other signs or symptoms. Bloody Red Stool vs Tarry Dark Stool The color of the bloody stool can [...]

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Red Stool (Bowel Movement) and Reddish Diarrhea Causes

Dr. Chris — Wed, 01 Mar 2017 23:18:55 +0000

Any red discharge or excretion always raises the concern about bleeding. The same may apply to stool (feces) that is red in color or when red is seen upon wiping. It is of even greater concern when there is diarrhea that has a reddish tinge or there is completely red liquid being passed out as watery stool. While blood may be the obvious cause of this red discoloration, it is also possible that there are sources of red that may not be due to bleeding. What colors the stool red? It is important to first look at what gives stool its typically tan to brown color. Stool, also referred to as feces or bowel movement, is made up of water, wastes, undigested food, bile, digestive enzymes, mucus, water and bacteria. Within bile is a byproduct known as bilirubin. It is produced from the components of red blood cells that die or are destroyed within the body. Bilirubin is made in the liver and passed out with bile into the gallbladder. Eventually bile is secreted into the small intestine during digestion. Part of the bilirubin within it is converted to stercobilin by the bacteria in the bowels. It is this stercobilin [...]

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Constipation with Blood in Stool – Causes, Remedies, Treatment

Dr. Chris — Thu, 21 Sep 2017 23:57:34 +0000

Constipation is a common bowel symptom and affects both males and females of all age groups. It is estimated that chronic constipation affects about 15% of Americans. However, it may be far more prevalent as many people do not seek medical attention for constipation and attempt to treat it on their own. Furthermore constipation may either be acute where it lasts for only a few days to weeks before resolving. On the other hand, constipation may be chronic and can persist for years or even decades. Constipation and Bleeding Constipation and bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract are two different clinical feaures. Sometimes both may be linked and constipation can cause bleeding, particularly from the rectum or anus. Bowel habit can vary from one person to another. However, there is a range which is considered normal. Passing stool between three times a day to three times a week is normal bowel habit. Constipation is having less than three bowel movements in a week. Apart from the frequency, the stool is generally hard and difficult to pass out. Most people with constipation have to strain to have a bowel movement. Bleeding from the gut occurs for several reasons and may arise from [...]

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Rectal Discharge (Blood, Mucus, Feces) Causes and Types

Dr. Chris — Mon, 21 Sep 2015 23:16:57 +0000

A discharge may be the release of any secretion from any surface of the body or the cavities. Sometimes these discharges may arise from much deeper in the body. Different types of discharge may occur for different reasons. When it comes to the rectum, stool is technically not considered as an abnormal discharge as it is the waste material in the bowels that is normally expelled several times a day or every few days. Similarly flatus (gas) is not considered an abnormal rectal discharge. What is a rectal discharge? A rectal discharge in this context is any abnormal solid or fluid that is expelled from the rectum through the anus, except for stool and flatus. Sometimes the stool can be very soft and runny or even entirely watery, but this as well is not considered as abnormal rectal discharge although it is abnormal stool. Rectal discharge is often mucus, pus or blood and there are different reasons why this occurs. Meaning and Types The reasons why the different rectal discharges occur: Blood is usually indicative of a break in a blood vessel lining the bowels. This is often related to tears in the mucosal lining of the bowels as is [...]

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Melena (Dark Blood) and Hematochezia (Fresh Blood) in Stool

Dr. Chris — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 23:25:22 +0000

Color of Blood in Stool The normal color of stool varies from light to dark brown. This is due to the presence of bilirubin and the decomposition of food. If the stool is black or red, bleeding within the gastrointestinal tract needs to be excluded, especially if it is ongoing. Certain foods, drinks and drugs may cause discoloration of stool ranging from black to red or maroon. This discoloration may not be due to any bleeding. A small amount of blood in the stool is usually not visible and therefore goes unnoticed (occult) until it is detected upon a fecal occult blood test. The color of blood in the stool may vary depending on the site of the hemorrhage and transit time. There are two medical terms that are used to describe the presence of blood in the stool. Melena (UK ~ melaena) is the passage of black, tarry stools which is indicative of blood that has degraded. Hematochezia is the passage of bloody stools, where the blood appears fresh and red to maroon in color. Location of Bleed Melena typically indicates bleeding in the upper gut – esophagus, stomach and first parts of the small intestine. The bleeding is [...]

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Blood in Stool Causes and Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)

Jan Modric — Mon, 30 Mar 2009 19:58:53 +0000

Meaning of Blood in the Stool When blood in the stool results from rough wiping or hemorrhoids, it is usually not dangerous. In most other cases, it may be a symptom of a serious disorder, and has to be checked by a doctor as soon as possible. In general, blood in the stool from the end of the gut (anus, rectum) is bright red and liquid, and blood from the stomach or above is black and thick. Massive bleeding from the stomach may still appear as red blood, and blood from the rectum may be dark, since colonic bacteria may change it color (in several hours). What Does the Blood in the Stool Look Like? The blood in the stool may appear as: Invisible (occult) Bright red fluid Red streaks on the stool surface Red or maroon colored stool Black tarry stool Bright Red Liquid Blood in the Stool Red blood in the stool, medically called hematochezia, can result from: Rough wiping Injury during passing hard stool (in constipation) Menstruation External or internal hemorrhoids Anal fissure Foreign body or injury Diverticulitis Colonoscopy Polyp or cancer in the rectum or colon Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis Amebiasis Shigellosis Intestinal worms Massive bleeding from small [...]

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Rectal Bleeding Causes During or After Bowel Movement

Dr. Chris — Wed, 28 Aug 2019 21:11:15 +0000

Blood should not appear in the stool or with wiping after a bowel movement. When it does occur, most people are concerned. This can be a worrying symptom but most of the time rectal bleeding is not serious. Nevertheless it is always advisable to have a doctor investigate rectal bleeding further as it can be a sign of serious conditions like colorectal cancer. Blood from the Rectum It is not common for there to be excessive bleeding from the rectum and anus. Sometimes rectal bleeding is noticed with a bowel movement. However, in most cases blood in the stool may not be visible (microscopic) and is only detected with diagnostic investigation like a fecal occult blood test (FOBT). When blood is visible, it may either appear fresh blood or dark blood in the stool. The fresh red blood is known as hematochezia and it may be seen with wiping after a bowel movement. In rare cases the blood may be seen in the toilet during a bowel movement or as bloody diarrhea. Fresh red blood is a sign of bleeding lower down the gut, in the large intestine, rectum or anus. Dark degraded blood is not always as easily visible. [...]

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Rectal Bleeding During or After Bowel Movement

Dr. Chris — Fri, 24 Dec 2010 22:29:36 +0000

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