Blood in the stool is a symptom that may indicate diseases of the rectum, colon, or anus.
The color of the blood, the presence of temporary or constant pain in the anus, and other symptoms (abdominal pain, constant fatigue, sudden weight loss) depend on the type and stage of the disease. Evidence of rectal bleeding may include:
- blood on a napkin or toilet paper after a bowel movement;
- streaks of blood in the stool;
- red or pink colored water in the toilet after bowel movements;
- dark feces with an unpleasant, pungent odor;
- blood in urine.
If you detect blood in your stool, you should consult a doctor to undergo an examination to determine the cause of rectal bleeding. It is also necessary to make an appointment with a doctor if there is a change in the color of the stool, pain or itching in the anus, discomfort during bowel movements or sitting, or in case of fecal or urinary incontinence.
Reasons for the presence of blood in stool
Blood in the stool can be a sign of inflammatory processes in the body, proctological diseases and diseases of the gastrointestinal tract in the acute or chronic stage. Causes of blood in stool:
- rupture of the anal mucosa (anal fissure);
- injury or foreign body entry into the rectum and anus;
- proctological diseases (hemorrhoids, colitis);
- prolapse of the rectum from the anus;
- constipation or too hard stools;
- stomach ulcers, diverticulitis and other diseases of the gastrointestinal tract;
- STIs (genital warts);
- oncology of the rectum, colon, anus;
- a side effect of medications that thin the blood.
Small amounts of blood in a child's stool is most often a symptom of constipation. To confirm that your child is bleeding due to constipation and to rule out serious illnesses, you should contact your pediatrician.
Blood in the anus
Blood in the anus, causes, symptoms, diagnosis The appearance of blood from the anus during or after a bowel movement can alarm people, regardless of how and when it is detected - on toilet paper or after a coprogram (stool test). Expert proctologists unanimously agree that this symptom informs about pathology in the anal canal and/or higher parts of the colon.
Depending on the severity of the patient’s pathology, the appearance of blood in the anus may be accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, vomiting, symptoms of general weakness or nausea, digestive system disorders, anemia, and weight loss.
Causes of blood in stool
Rectal bleeding indicates bleeding in the rectum or colon. The color of blood can be either scarlet or red. Doctors also pay attention to the color of the stool itself, since blood can turn it black.
Let us highlight the main factors for the appearance of blood from the anus:
Anal canal fissures
An anal fissure is a mechanical damage to the anoderm (skin of the anal canal) in the form of small cuts or tears, accompanied by painful stabbing sensations and discomfort after defecation.
Polyps or oncology
Benign growths on the wall of the anal canal, called polyps, which, as they grow, can cause bleeding and develop into rectal cancer.
Colitis
Inflammatory processes in the colon, affecting its mucous membrane.
Diverticular disease
Diverticula are herniated protrusions on the wall of the colon in the form of small pouches. When an infection occurs due to viruses or bacteria, they can become inflamed and bleed, and also cause quite severe pain.
Angiodysplasia of the intestine
A condition of fragility of the venous vessels leading to bleeding.
Peptic ulcer
Inflammatory processes on the wall of the stomach, small intestine or duodenum, which are caused by the pathogenic activity of the bacterium Helicobacter pylori. Inflammation can also occur due to long-term drug therapy with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Diagnosis by a proctologist when blood appears from the anus
If a person has bleeding in the anus, it is necessary to make an appointment with a proctologist for an examination. Visual examination of the anal canal is carried out in the form of special instrumental techniques, including:
1. Anoscopy
A painless research technique that is prescribed to most patients who come for an appointment. Allows you to identify many proctological diseases at an early stage, as well as their exact localization in the rectum and anal canal. For example: anal fissures, condylomas and papillomas of the anal canal, benign or malignant neoplasms, inflammatory processes of the rectum, fistulas, hypertrophied papillae of the rectal walls, polyps, etc.
Before the anoscopy procedure, the patient must prepare, namely, do a cleansing enema of 1.5-2 liters, or with special microenemas. If desired, you can use laxatives, which should be taken the day before the appointment (in the evening when visiting the doctor in the morning).
The doctor examines the anal canal using a special device - an anoscope - a tube with a light guide at the end. Next, biological material (mucus) is collected from the surface of the anal canal and then sent for histological analysis to the laboratory. The duration of the procedure is on average about 10-15 minutes.
2. Video sigmoidoscopy
A more effective procedure for endoscopic examination of the anal canal from 8 to 20 centimeters deep, from the rectum to the sigmoid colon. Thanks to this technique, the attending proctologist can accurately assess the condition of the intestines, as well as identify scars, polyps, inflamed hemorrhoids and other neoplasms. Subject to removal.
For the study, a video rectoscope is used - an endoscopic device with the ability to record video of the examination in real time. The patient also has the opportunity to see on the monitor a picture of the condition of the anal canal.
The procedure has several contraindications for its implementation, including: acute anal fissure, acute purulent inflammatory processes in the area of the study. If the patient wishes, local anesthesia is used for greater comfort during the examination. The duration of the procedure is no more than 15-20 minutes. As soon as possible, the patient receives the results of the study, as well as a recording of the procedure from the video sigmoidoscope.
3. Digital examination of the rectum
A mandatory research method, based on the results of which the attending physician decides on the subsequent procedures - sigmoidoscopy and anoscopy.
Thanks to a digital rectal examination, the proctologist receives information about the current state of the muscular system of the anal canal, identifies bleeding and other pathological conditions:
- Anal fissures
- Enlargement of hemorrhoids,
- Scar pathologies of the walls of the rectum,
- Neoplasms of various etiologies
- Foreign bodies.
In addition, digital examination helps to study the condition of the internal organs of the female reproductive system and the prostate gland (prostate) in men.
The biggest advantage of this technique is the ability to assess the condition of the upper semicircle of the rectal wall, rising above the anus, and which is not available for any of the above types of proctological examination.
The procedure is not performed if a narrowing of the anal area is diagnosed, or if there is severe pain.
During a digital examination, the proctologist inserts the index finger of the right hand into the lumen of the anal canal, carefully palpating its walls from the sphincter. Depending on the history collected, the specialist assesses the condition of the mucous membrane of the walls, pain on palpation, tone, elasticity and degree of distensibility of the rectum.
What diseases does blood from the anus indicate?
Here is a list of the most likely pathologies, a symptom of which may be blood during bowel movements:
1. Hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are a pathological enlargement of veins located in the anal canal. The process is accompanied by a feeling of heaviness, the presence of a foreign body in the anal canal, pain and bleeding when going to the toilet.
2. Anal fissure
The second most common pathological condition of the walls of the anal canal, causing the patient such inconvenience as acute pain, bleeding and frequent bleeding. The causes of anal fissure can be anal sex, frequent constipation, lifting heavy loads, diarrhea, various diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, as well as strong pushing during childbirth.
Rectal fissures can be acute or chronic. In 80% of cases, with conservative treatment, an acute fissure heals. But if the result of therapy is negative, after 6 weeks it enters the chronic stage, as a result of which scar tissue appears at the edges of the crack.
3. Genital warts in the anal canal
Benign, small-sized formations that arise due to the penetration and reproduction of the human papillomavirus (HPV) in the body and decreased immunity. May cause bleeding or blood in the stool.
4. Ulcerative colitis
Chronic pathology of the large intestine, causing damage to the mucous membrane and causing diarrhea mixed with blood.
5. Diverticulitis
A disease that occurs due to weakening of the smooth muscles of the intestinal wall and the formation of cavities in it. Over time, stool can accumulate in these cavities, causing bleeding and frequent inflammation.
In addition to these diseases, blood in the anus may indicate pathologies such as Crohn's disease or colon cancer. In order to detect any proctological disease as early as possible and further effective treatment, Med City proctologists recommend undergoing preventive examinations at least once a year. This will protect you from longer and more painful treatment of diseases in later stages.
Who to contact if there is blood in the stool
Stool mixed with blood is a reason for an urgent visit to the proctologist. If a patient complains of rectal bleeding to a family doctor, the latter will also refer him to a gastroenterologist. If you experience additional symptoms such as vomiting with blood, severe abdominal pain, or fever, you should immediately call an ambulance.
What treatment methods for proctological diseases are used to stop the symptom of blood in the anus?
The Med City clinic uses the most effective methods for treating anal diseases in the capital today.
Doping with latex rings
A method for painlessly removing inflamed hemorrhoids at stages 1, 2 or 3. The procedure does not require a hospital stay at a medical facility and lasts about 2 minutes.
Radio wave surgery for proctological diseases
A widely used technique for excision of external hemorrhoids of various stages, condylomas and papillomas, anal fissures. The radio wave method is absolutely harmless to the patient, since there is no tissue trauma. 90% effective against the above pathologies.
Removal of hemorrhoids with laser
A bloodless method of fast and safe removal of external and internal hemorrhoids using a laser made in Italy by DEKA. There are several subtypes of laser treatment:
- laser hemorrhoidoplasty - using an infrared beam, the doctor acts on the node, necrotizing it (due to the cessation of blood supply in the area where the technique is used). In this case, the anatomical structure of adjacent tissues is not damaged.
Advantages of laser treatment in proctology
Bloodless procedures - no bleeding incisions (as in traditional surgery)
- No seams
- Safe for adjacent tissues
- Low probability of relapses.
If a patient notices a symptom of blood appearing from the anus, but ignores visits to the doctor, this can lead to aggravation of the disease causing it and a deterioration in the quality of life.
Therefore, it is strongly recommended to be regularly examined by a proctologist at least once a year. Co-author: Kuresha A.V.
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What diseases cause blood in the stool?
Blood in the anus may indicate proctological diseases, intestinal and stomach diseases. The disease can be determined by the color of the blood and stool, and the presence of other symptoms (pain in the anus, abdominal cramps, nausea, discomfort when urinating). A bright scarlet discharge may indicate:
- hemorrhoids (may also cause blood in the stool during pregnancy). Often accompanied by pain when urinating, itching in the anus;
- injuries received during anal sex;
- anal fissure;
- STI (genital warts).
Bright scarlet blood in the stool without pain during defecation may appear due to angiodysplasia (damage to blood vessels in the intestines). If you are taking blood thinning medications, your stool may change color, raising the suspicion of blood in your stool.
The stool may look like there is blood in the feces if a person regularly eats red foods such as beets and tomatoes in large quantities. The appearance of yellowish mucus in the stool during urination may indicate a rectal fistula, and blood, clear mucus and nausea may indicate gastroenteritis. Causes of blood in stool may include:
- Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis. Diseases may be accompanied by pain and cramps in the abdomen, bloating, blood from diarrhea;
- intestinal polyps;
- bleeding from the intestines or anus;
- malignant formation in the intestine.
If the stool is dark in color, it may indicate that the person is taking iron supplements or frequently eating foods such as blueberries or licorice. If you find dark blood in your stool, you should consult a doctor, as this may be a sign of intestinal or gastric bleeding, diverticulitis, or gastric ulcer.
How to treat diseases that cause blood in the stool?
Treatment for the disease that causes the appearance of blood in the stool is selected by the doctor after conducting an examination and identifying the cause of the blood in the stool. At the first stage of the examination, an anamnesis is collected, questions are asked about the amount and regularity of blood in the stool, the color of feces, the presence of recent injuries to the rectum or abdomen, and other symptoms (bloating, pain during bowel movements and urination, vomiting with blood).
Your doctor may order a complete blood count and stool tests. When diagnosing a proctological disease, you may need to undergo one of the following imaging tests:
- digital rectal examination;
- colonoscopy (performed using a probe);
- anoscopy (examination of the rectum);
- sigmoidoscopy of the rectum;
- angiography.
The examinations may cause slight discomfort, but are painless and safe. After conducting a comprehensive examination and receiving the results, the proctologist or gastroenterologist prescribes treatment. For example, when treating internal hemorrhoids in the first stages, ointments, suppositories, phlebotropic drugs are prescribed, and minimally invasive procedures are used (infrared photocoagulation, radio wave method, latex ligation).
What can blood in a child’s stool indicate?
A child's bloody stool may look different depending on the source of the bleeding:
- Bleeding in the stomach and small intestine, that is, in the upper part of the digestive tract, is the cause of black, thick stools that resemble tar. Iron, which is contained in hemoglobin in the blood, turns black under the influence of hydrochloric acid in the stomach.
- If the source of bleeding is in the lower gastrointestinal tract - the large intestine, rectum or anus, then the blood will be dark red to scarlet.
The cause of rectal bleeding may depend on the baby's age:
- If the child is under one year old, then bloody stool may indicate an allergy to cow's milk protein. It can occur in both breastfed and bottle-fed babies. As a rule, with ABCM, blood in the stool is not the only symptom; the baby may be bothered by abdominal pain (infantile colic), regurgitation, diarrhea or constipation. To confirm the diagnosis, a nursing mother is recommended to go on a dairy-free diet for two weeks and observe whether the baby’s condition improves. In the case of artificial feeding, a mixture with split protein - hydrolyzate - can help; it should also be prescribed by a pediatrician.
- In a child two years old or older, blood in the stool may be the result of juvenile polyps - neoplasms in the intestines. After examination, surgery may be required to remove them.
- Other causes of rectal bleeding - both hidden blood in the stool and fresh scarlet specks - can be equally likely to occur in a child at one month, one year, or two years. These are anal fissures, as well as inflammatory and infectious bowel diseases, helminthic infestations, and intestinal obstruction.
It is important!
Your baby's stool may be colored by food or medications. Dark stools do not indicate bleeding if the child ate beets, chocolate, or other foods with dyes, took antibiotics, iron supplements, or activated charcoal.
