Information technology may exist alarming to detect blood in the toilet or after wiping. There are many possible causes, and some are relatively harmless, some require treatment, and some may warrant emergency care.

Below, acquire more than about the possible causes of bloody stool, including those more common in children. Besides, find out how doctors diagnose and treat these issues.

The interior of a public restroom door to accompany an article about blood in stool. Share on Pinterest
The amount of blood in stool tin can indicate the severity of the underlying issue.

Blood in stool may result from bleeding in the upper or lower gastrointestinal (GI) tract — and the color of the blood tin help point its source.

Blackness, tarry stool

Blackness, tarry stool may bespeak to a drain in the upper GI tract. As a general rule, the darker the blood, the college the source of the bleed.

The upper GI tract includes the rima oris, esophagus, stomach, and upper part of the small intestine, called the duodenum.

According to the American Higher of Surgeons, upper GI bleeding is more mutual than lower GI haemorrhage, accounting for near lxx% of all GI bleeds.

Brilliant cerise claret

This is usually a sign of a bleed in the lower GI tract. This section consists of the large intestine, rectum, and anus.

An injury to the GI tract can crusade irritation that leads to haemorrhage. In other cases, ulcers form, rupturing the lining of an organ. In either event, the blood passes out of the body with the stool.

Specific health problems may exist involved, such as:

Gastroenteritis

Gastroenteritis is a coating term for weather that crusade an upset tum. Most of these cases issue from a bacterial or viral infection, co-ordinate to the Great britain's National Health Service (NHS).

Depending on the circumstances and symptoms — which tin include encarmine diarrhea — a doctor may refer to the infection every bit food poisoning or stomach flu.

Anal fissure

Anal fissures are modest, thin tears in the lining of the anus. They may bleed and crusade hurting during a bowel movement.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum. Straining or passing hard stool can rupture these veins, leading to bloody bowel movements.

Peptic ulcers

Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop in the lining of the stomach or duodenum.

A peptic ulcer that forms on a blood vessel may cause haemorrhage and bloody stools.

These ulcers can result from infection with Helicobacter pylori bacteria or from the long-term utilize of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

Diverticula

Diverticula are modest pockets that can grade within the colon. They are prone to infection and inflammation and can sometimes rupture and bleed.

The medical term for infection and inflammation of diverticula is diverticulitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease

Inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis tin crusade bloody stool.

Anal fistula

An anal fistula is a small tunnel that forms between the end of the bowel and the peel well-nigh the anus.

It typically develops when an infection near the anus causes pus to collect in surrounding tissues. Every bit the pus drains, it leaves behind the fistula, which may continue to ooze pus or blood.

Medication

A person may experience GI bleeding as a side effect of claret-thinning medications, such equally:

  • warfarin (Coumadin)
  • enoxaparin (Lovenox)
  • apixaban (Eliquis)

Anyone who takes a blood-thinning medication and has a bloody bowel movement should notify their doctor immediately.

Colon polyps

Colon polyps can atomic number 82 to encarmine stools. These small growths may exist benign or precancerous.

Cancer

Cancerous tumors of the GI tract can weaken the lining of the GI tissues, causing them to drain.

Bloody stool may exist specially common in infants. Some causes include:

  • Food allergies : Allergies to proteins in food or milk can cause gastroenteritis that leads to intestinal bleeding.
  • Structural gastrointestinal abnormalities: Issues that cause the intestines to get twisted — such as intestinal malrotation and volvulus — may lead to bleeding.
  • Necrotizing enterocolitis: This serious disease causes inflammation and tissue death within the large intestine, and it usually affects premature or newborn babies. The affliction can cause:
    • bloating
    • airsickness bile
    • blood in stool

A doc will starting time ask how much blood was visible in the bowel motility, and they may also order a examination chosen a consummate blood count to help determine the extent of the blood loss.

The next steps depend on how much blood was lost.

Emergency situations

If a person reports a big amount of blood loss and has a depression blood count, the physician may perform an urgent endoscopy. This involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a camera at one end into the GI tract to wait for the source of the bleeding.

An upper endoscopy involves guiding the endoscope through the oral cavity and downwardly into the upper GI tract. A colonoscopy is a course of endoscopy that involves inserting the endoscope into the anus and through the lower GI tract.

Once the doc has identified the source of the bleeding, they can insert tiny instruments through the endoscope and use them to repair the damaged tissue.

If the medico is unable to identify and resolve the bleed, they may recommend surgical removal of all or part of the damaged area.

Nonemergency situations

If the bleeding does not appear to be life threatening, the doctor may order or perform a:

  • Fecal occult blood examination: This involves analyzing a stool sample for the presence of claret.
  • Consummate blood count: This blood test can help make up one's mind the extent of claret loss.
  • Digital rectal examination: This involves examining the rectum manually, to place hemorrhoids or other causes of bleeding inside the rectum.
  • Endoscopy: This process allows the doc to view the inner lining of the GI tract.

The best approach depends on the cause and source of the bleeding within the GI tract.

If haemorrhage results from an ulcer, infection, or inflammation, the doc may prescribe medications.

In some cases, surgery is necessary to prevent farther bleeding. The doctor may perform it using endoscopy or colonoscopy. The procedure may involve:

  • injecting medicines to terminate the bleeding
  • cauterizing the site using a rut probe, electric current, or laser
  • closing off the affected blood vessels using a ring or clip

If any of the post-obit occur, seek emergency medical attention:

  • a big amount of ruby-red or dark blood in a bowel movement
  • dizziness
  • extreme fatigue
  • a stake appearance
  • a rapid heartbeat
  • shortness of jiff

These symptoms could point that the person is losing a dangerous amount of claret.

Some symptoms are less severe but however warrant investigation. A person should see a physician if they experience:

  • unexplained abdominal pain
  • hurting when passing stool
  • a small amount of blood in a bowel motion

Claret in stool tin be alarming, but it is not always a cause for business concern. The cause may be relatively harmless and heal on its own.

However, if the bleeding is persistent, seek medical communication. This is peculiarly of import if the haemorrhage accompanies pain.

Anyone who notices a lot of blood in a bowel move should receive emergency care, especially if they also experience dizziness, fatigue, a rapid heartbeat, or shortness of breath.