Blood In The Stool: Possible Causes

Blood in the stool is often found when there are problems with hemorrhoids or anal fissures. But other causes can also lead to it. Find out more about it today. 

If there is  blood in our stool , we immediately worry as it could be a sign of colon cancer. But there are many other reasons for this that are far less dramatic. It is important to track down the causes and initiate appropriate treatment.

Norberto Mañas, specialist in the digestive system at the San Carlos Clinic in Madrid, notes the following on this matter:

Since blood in the stool is very common,  we will explain more about possible causes in our article today. 

Why is there blood in the stool?

Blood in stool can show up in different ways. It is not always obvious at first glance. The most common manifestations are as follows:

• Red blood that can be seen at first glance: In this case, the blood can  often be seen on the toilet paper. The cause is usually bleeding in the rectum or anus, which is usually due to problems with the hemorrhoids or an anal fissure.
• Black chair or tarry chair: In this case, one speaks of Meläna. The deep black and bad smelling stool is due to bleeding in the upper digestive tract (upper gastrointestinal bleeding). In this case, there may be more serious problems.
• Stool with blood and blood clots:  inflammatory diseases in the intestine are often responsible for this. It can also occur with polyps or cancer.

• Hidden blood that is not visible at first glance:  This can only be detected through a medical diagnosis. But often other symptoms, such as anemia, point to it for no other obvious reason. A colonoscopy is usually required in this case.

Possible causes of blood in the stool

As mentioned earlier,  blood in your stool can indicate colon cancer,  but there are many other possible diseases that can cause this symptom. Some of them are:

• Hemorrhoids:  The most common cause of blood in your stool is hemorrhoidal disease. This occurs in three out of four people in adulthood. The most common reason for this is excessive straining to defecate when constipated. Haemorrhoids are also common in pregnant women.

• Anal fissures:  These are caused by a small tear in the mucous membrane in the area of ​​the anus. This can be caused by hard, large stools and constipation.
• Diverticulum:  The term diverticulum is the name given to sac-shaped protuberances on the walls of hollow organs, which occur particularly in the large intestine. With increasing age, there are more symptoms from diverticula.
• Intestinal polyps:  These are mucosal structures that protrude into the intestine. Usually these are not dangerous, but in some cases they can develop into cancer.
• Gastric or duodenal ulcer:  This causes injuries in the stomach or intestinal wall. This can lead to problems in the esophagus or melena.
• Changes in the blood vessels:  Vasculitis or angiodysplasia can also lead to blood in the stool.

• Various infections
• Inflammatory diseases of the digestive tract:  These include, for example, Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis, which can also lead to blood in the stool.

What to do if there is blood in the stool

As you can see, there are many different causes that can lead to blood in your stool. It is especially important to diagnose the exact trigger in order to rule out serious problems. Be sure to get a medical examination!

Give your doctor as much information as possible about the  color, frequency, and type of blood in the stool to help him diagnose. 

It is also advisable to have regular stool examinations from the age of 50. There are also test letters for this in the pharmacy. This is to detect bleeding that cannot be seen at first glance.

In addition, the doctor will do a rectal exam. This will help him detect hemorrhoids or a rectal tumor. It can also be used to examine problems with the prostate. This examination, while uncomfortable, is very important.

Colonoscopy is used to effectively diagnose colon cancer. Depending on the type of blood in the stool, other diagnostic tests are also used, for example a gastroscopy, an X-ray or a gammagraphy.

Conclusion

If you notice blood in your stool, you don’t need to worry too much right away, but you should definitely get a medical exam. It could be a hemorrhoid condition or an anal fissure. Your doctor will examine you thoroughly and initiate appropriate treatment.