Symptoms of Bleeding passing stool
Introduction
Blood in the stool can be narrow, whether you discover it in cattle after a bowel movement or after a test ordered by your healthcare provider. While blood in your stools can be a serious problem, this is not always the case. Bleeding while passing stool is the flow of blood through the anus and can cause bright red blood in the stool and a brownish or black stool. The bleeding may also be hidden. Rectal bleeding can also be seen rising in the intestinal tract from the stomach, duodenum, and small intestine. Rectal bleeding may not be painful; however, other symptoms that can cause rectal bleeding are diarrhoea and abdominal cramps due to irritation caused by blood in the stool. Experiencing rectal bleeding, or hematochezia, also known as bleeding while passing stool, can be a worrying and alarming situation for anyone. Rectal bleeding is a symptom that requires immediate attention and evaluation.
Causes
- Diverticular disease: Diverticula are tiny sacs that protrude from the wall of the colon. They usually do not cause problems, but they can sometimes bleed or become infected.
- Anal gaping: a small incision or tear in the tissue that feeds the anus, similar to tears found in cracked lips or paper cuts. The gap is often due to the passing of large, hard stools and can be painful.
- Angiodysplasia is a condition in which abnormal and fragile blood vessels cause bleeding.
- Gastric or peptic ulcer: an open sore in the stomach or duodenum, the upper tip of the small intestine. Many stomach ulcers are caused by an infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Prolonged use or high doses of anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can also cause stomach ulcers.
- Polyps or cancer: Polyps are benign growths that can grow, bleed, and become cancerous. In the United States, colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer. It sometimes results in bleeding that is undetectable to the naked eye.
- Esophageal problems: Varicose veins or tears in the esophagus can lead to severe blood loss.
Signs of Bleeding while Passing stool
Signs of bleeding and passing stool can vary depending on the underlying cause and severity of the condition. Some common signs or symptoms include:
- Visible blood in stool
- Change in stool colour
- Rectal bleeding
- Unexplained weight loss
- Abdominal pain
Diagnosis
Doctors usually perform a visual or physical examination to check the affected area. This may include inserting a glove or a lubricated finger into the anus to look for abnormalities, such as haemorrhoids. Sometimes, a final haemorrhage may be necessary due to a rectal haemorrhage. It involves the insertion of a thin, flexible, illuminated scope into the anus. The endoscope has a camera at the end, with which the doctor can view the area to indicate signs of bleeding. Examples of endoscopic procedures to see rectal bleeding are sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. A doctor may also order a blood test, such as a complete blood count (CBC), to determine if you have lost a significant amount of blood.
Treatment
Most cases can be treated. Your plan depends on the cause of the bleeding. An endoscopy can be done. For example, if your upper digestive tract is bleeding, your doctor can control it by injecting medicine directly into the problem area using an endoscope to guide the needle. A doctor may also use heat to treat (or 'cauterize') a bleeding area through the scope and tissue or place a clip in a bleeding blood vessel. These techniques are not always enough. Sometimes, you need surgery. Once the bleeding is under control, you should take medicine to prevent it from coming back.
When should I visit a doctor?
If you are experiencing any of the following symptoms, it is advised to go to an emergency room immediately:
- Damp, sweet, or cold skin
- Severe abdominal pain or cramps
- Fever
- Dizziness or fainting
- Less urination than usual
- Nausea
- Blood
- Bloody diarrhoea
- Confusion, disorientation
- Problems to see
- Weight loss
Home Remedies
- Eight to ten glasses of water a day are suggested.
- Every day, take a bath or shower and disinfect the skin around the anus.
- Reduce tension with bowel movements.
- Increase fiber in your diet with supplements like Metamucil, Benefiber, or foods like prunes.
- You do not sit on the toilet for a long time.
- To ease discomfort, add ice packs to the affected area.
- Bath: It is a warm bath with water deep enough to cover the hips and buttocks, which can help relieve some of the symptoms of haemorrhoids, such as itching, pain, and discomfort.
- Avoid drinking alcohol, as it contributes to dehydration, which is one of the causes of constipation.
Citations
https://www.nature.com/articles/nrgastro.2010.42
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF01296524
https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/1105075
