There’s Blood in My Stool

Blood in a stool sample can come from any portion of the digestive tract. If it is found in or near the stomach, it might be digested. Closer to the anus, it may be varying shades of red to maroon in color.

There are some fairly minor causes for this problem, according to the Mayo Clinic. However, there are some serious medical conditions that may also be involved. Getting it checked out is imperative.

Anal fissures and hemorrhoids are a good example of fairly minor problems. These can be caused by constipation and straining to have a bowel movement. Though they may bleed, they rarely bleed enough to cause problems such as anemia.

Medications may be responsible for some cases of rectal bleeding. Aspirin is well known to cause the problem. If you are on aspirin therapy, make sure you tell your doctor that at your annual checkup. If small amounts are detected, the aspirin may be the cause.

Irritable bowel syndrome is usually the diagnosis of last resort. If none of the other possible causes are detected, then it is lumped under that category. Because of this problem, it can be misdiagnosed or missed completely. It’s important to note that IBS does not involve intestinal bleeding.

Diverticulitis is another possible cause; they seldom have much in the way of symptoms. Diverticula are pouches along the large intestine that bulge out. These can become inflamed and infected if a proper diet is not followed. Mild cases may be treated with bed rest, a liquid diet and oral antibiotics, but severe cases can require a hospital stay.

One of the more serious reasons for this problem is colon cancer. Bright red, dark red and tarry stools are all symptoms of this deadly disease. Other symptoms include constipation, diarrhea, alternating of these conditions and the feeling that you aren’t passing all that’s in your bowels. You may also notice a change in bowel habits other than the ones mentioned above.

Early detection can make a real difference in the outcome of the more serious problems. You can decrease your risks of them by eating a proper diet, high in fiber and exercising. It’s best to have a checkup at least once a year to make sure that no blood is present in your feces. If you are at risk, your doctor may recommend more frequent checkups.