Pooping Blood

What does Blood in the Stool mean?

Pooping blood is very rare in general but it doesn’t mean that nothing should be done with it. Although the condition is not very common, know that it’s still not normal and sometimes it can be really scary. The blood in the stool can sometimes signal that the person has some serious problems in the digestive system or it might represent as symptoms of an underlying condition.

The amount of blood mixed together in the stool during a bowel movement or a health test will tell how severe the condition is and it can be confirmed through a laboratory exam, with some mild reported episodes that stop on their own.

In most cases of patients who relayed to the physician, they only find a few drops of fresh blood or spots of blood on the tissue paper and toilet water. In some cases though, they find a spoonful or two of blood.

What Causes a Person to Poop Blood?

Blood in the stool mean that there is a certain bleeding that is currently happening somewhere in the digestive tract. At times, the quality of blood is so little to the point where it can only be discovered by a faecal occult test wherein the hidden blood in the stool is checked.

Occasionally the blood is visible in a bright red color on tissues or in the toilet water. Bleeding that occurs higher in the digestive tract will have a darker color. If the color of the blood is maroon or dark red, then it is most-likely rectal bleeding. A black and sticky blood found in the stool that also smells bad is referred to as melena.

Causes of blood in the stool that may occur include:

  • Polyps – These are benign growths that are cancerous and cause bleeding that is usually not seen with the naked eye.
  • Angiodysplasia – A vulnerable condition wherein the abnormality of blood vessels also results to bleeding.
  • Diverticular disease – This is found from the wall of the colon which involves  the diverticula that may cause bleeding if infected.
  • Colitis – This is when the colon is swollen.
  • Esophageal problems – Any problems in the esophagus that may result to blood loss.
  • Anal fissure – This happens when the stool passing the rectum is large and hard which later on causes a small cut in the tissue lining the anus.
  • Peptic ulcers

What are the Symptoms associated with Blood in the Stool?

An individual with blood in the stool may be oblivious of the condition and experience no symptoms at all. On the other hand, these symptoms may possibly occur:

  • Lose of weight depending on how severe the bleeding is and what’s causing it
  • Having a hard time breathing
  • Pain in the stomach
  • Palpitations
  • Fatigue
  • Vomiting
  • Diarrhea

Diagnosis

Having a blood in the stool should be reported to the physician right away in order to be diagnosed as soon as possible. The patient’s details about the bleeding will help the physician find the site where the bleeding is occurring. The color of the blood that is maroon-colored, black, or bright red will also indicate which part of the digestive tract has a problem. After talking with a physician, a physical examination will take place to discern the cause of bleeding.

These tests could be:

  • Barium X-ray – The procedure is composed of a material called barium to visualize the digestive tract on an X-ray.
  • Colonoscopy – This is where a scope is being placed inside the rectum to view the colon.
  • Radionuclide scanning – A very little amount of radioactive material is being injected into a vein that will help the special camera to see and detect images of blood flow in the digestive tract to determine where the bleeding is.
  • Nasogastric lavage – A procedure involving the emptying of the stomach’s content through a tube inserted in the nose. This test will tell the physician which part of the digestive tract is bleeding.
  • Enteroscopy – A capsule is swallowed with a small camera to get images to a video monitor.
  • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) – An endoscope with a tiny camera on the end is inserted through the mouth down to the duodenum. The physician still uses this to locate the bleeding.
  • Angiography – A special dye is injected into the vein to find the bleeding since the dye ooze out of the blood vessels in the site that is bleeding.
  • Laporotomy – This is somewhat the last sort if other tests fail. It is a procedure which requires surgery wherein the physician opens the abdomen for an examination.

Pooping blood Treatment

The physician will use a number of techniques to stop the bleeding and may also determine the causes to keep it from coming back. There are various treatments depending on the cause and severity. The physician will recommend it after a confirmed diagnosis.

Treatments may include:

  • Medications
  • Endoscopy or angiography to control bleeding
  • Surgery
  • Home remedies

References

  1. Digestive Disorders Health Center, Causes of Blood in Stool, Blood in Stool Diagnosis, Associated Symptoms Blood in Stool, Treatments at http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/blood-in-stool
  2. Rectal bleeding (blood in stool) facts, What does rectal bleeding (blood in stool) mean?, What are causes of blood in the stool (rectal bleeding)?, What diseases and conditions can cause blood in the stool (rectal bleeding)?, Anal fissures; Hemorrhoids; Diverticulitis; Colon cancer and polyps; Angiodysplasias; Colitis and proctitis; Meckel’s diverticulum; Polypectomy; Rare causes of rectal bleeding, What kind of doctor treats rectal bleeding?, When should I call a doctor for blood in the stool (rectal bleeding)?, How is the cause of blood in the stool (rectal bleeding) diagnosed?, History and physical examination, Anoscopy Flexible sigmoidoscopy , Colonoscopy, Radionuclide scans, Visceral angiogram, Video capsule and small intestine enteroscopy, MRI and CT tomographic angiography Nasogastric tube aspiration Esophagogastroduodenoscopy Blood tests; What is the treatment for rectal bleeding (blood in the stool)?, Can rectal bleeding (blood in the stool) be prevented?, What is the prognosis of rectal bleeding (blood in the stool)?at http://www.medicinenet.com/blood_in_the_stool_rectal_bleeding/article.htm#rectal_bleeding_blood_in_stool_facts
  3. http://www.webmd.boots.com/digestive-disorders/blood-in-stool-causes-and-diagnosis?page=2
  4. du Toit J, Hamilton W, Barraclough K. Risk in primary care of colorectal cancer from new onset rectal bleeding: 10 year prospective study. BMJ 2006; 333:69.
  5. Wong RF, Khosla R, Moore JH, Kuwada SK. Consider colonoscopy for young patients with hematochezia. J Fam Pract 2004; 53:879.
  6. Talley NJ, Jones M. Self-reported rectal bleeding in a United States community: prevalence, risk factors, and health care seeking. Am J Gastroenterol 1998; 93:2179.

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