Bloody stools are a concern for many people, and for a good reason. It can be a sign of something serious or just a minor issue. However, it’s essential to identify the causes and conditions to determine the severity of the condition.
In this article, we will discuss the possible causes and conditions that lead to bloody stools.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are one of the most common causes of bloody stools. They are swollen veins in the rectum or anus that can be itchy or painful. Hemorrhoids can cause bleeding during bowel movements or from abrasions caused by wiping.
Straining during bowel movements can also cause hemorrhoids to bleed.
Anal Fissures
An anal fissure is a tear in the skin of the anus or rectum. It’s often caused by constipation or passing hard or large stools. The tear can cause bleeding and intense pain, especially during bowel movements.
Fissures take time to heal, and the bleeding can last for a few days.
Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel diseases refer to chronic conditions that cause inflammation in the digestive tract. The two most common types of IBDs are ulcerative colitis (inflammation of the colon) and Crohn’s disease (inflammation of the digestive tract).
Symptoms of IBD can include bloody stools, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.
Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is a cancer that begins in the colon or rectum. It’s one of the most common cancers in the world. The symptoms of the cancer can include bloody stools, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain, and weight loss.
Colorectal cancer is most common in people over the age of 50, but it can occur at any age.
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Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis is a condition that occurs when pouches (diverticula) form in the colon and become inflamed. The symptoms can include abdominal pain, fever, nausea, and bloody stools. Diverticulitis commonly affects people over the age of 40.
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Peptic ulcer disease (PUD) is a condition that occurs when a sore develops in the lining of the digestive tract. The sore can cause bleeding, which can lead to bloody stools. Other symptoms of PUD include abdominal pain, indigestion, and nausea.
PUD is commonly caused by bacterial infection or the overuse of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
Intestinal Tuberculosis
Intestinal tuberculosis (TB) is a type of tuberculosis that affects the digestive tract. It’s a rare condition but can cause severe symptoms. The symptoms of intestinal TB include bloody stools, abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss.
It’s important to get a proper diagnosis and early treatment for intestinal TB.
Endometriosis
Endometriosis is a condition that occurs when the tissue that lines the uterus grows outside of the uterus. The tissue can grow on the rectum or colon, causing bleeding during bowel movements and pain.
Other symptoms of endometriosis include painful periods, pain during sex, and infertility.
Anal Cancer
Anal cancer is a rare type of cancer that develops in the anus. The symptoms of anal cancer can include bleeding, discharge, and a lump or mass around the anus. It’s important to get a proper diagnosis and early treatment for anal cancer.
Other Causes
Other possible causes of bloody stools include infectious diarrhea, inflammatory bowel syndrome, radiation proctitis, and upper gastrointestinal bleeding.
It’s essential to get a proper diagnosis from a healthcare professional if you are concerned about your symptoms.
