What Does Seeing Blood in Your Stools Mean?

If You See Blood in Your Stools, Talk to Your Doctor About This If you see blood in stools, technically referred to as hematochezia, you may want to ignore it and hope for the best. This is a common reaction, but it won't help you get to the bottom of your symptom. Blood in the stools can be bright red or dark, black, and/or "tarry" looking, and it requires your doctor's attention. Though colon cancer isn't to blame in all cases (the cause could be something less serious), blood in stools can be a signal of the disease. So, you should make it a priority to schedule an appointment. If colon cancer is diagnosed in the earliest stages, survival rates are well over 90%. If the cancer is more advanced, and has spread beyond the colon, survival rates drop dramatically. The sooner you get a diagnosis the better. What's Causing There to Be Blood in My Stools? Generally, blood in the stool means that there is bleeding somewhere in the large intestine. The color of the blood can be an indication of where the bleeding is occurring. If the blood is bright red and "fresh" looking, the bleeding is likely occurring toward the end of the colon or in the rectum. If bleeding is occurring higher up in the colon, the blood will be dark brownish to black, referred to as tarry stools. Sometimes, the blood may not even be visible on the stool. The most common causes of visible blood in the stools are diverticulitis and hemorrhoids. Other conditions and situations that can cause blood in the stools include:
y y y y y

y y

colon cancer non-cancerous growths, such as polyps intestinal infections (bacterial enterocolitis) that can be caused by foodborne pathogens, such as salmonella and E. coli inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis) recent trauma; for example, blood in the stools can occur after colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy examination (only lasts a day or two; is not serious) lack of blood flow to the intestines, resulting in bowel ischemia use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as aspirin and ibuprofen

Sometimes the stools may appear darker than normal, leading people to believe they have blood in their stools, even when blood is not present. Consuming iron supplements, blueberries, beets, blackberries, and other blue, red, purple, and black foods can cause this to occur. See your doctor if you notice blood in your stool or changes in the color, consistency, or frequency of your bowel movements. Easily treatable conditions such as hemorrhoids may be the cause, but it is better to err on the side of caution and get the correct diagnosis. If there's any reason to suspect cancer, the quicker you get to the bottom of your symptoms, the better. Blood in the stool can be bright red, maroon in color, black and tarry, or occult (not visible to the naked eye). Causes of blood in stool range from harmless, annoying conditions of the gastrointestinal tract such as hemorrhoids to serious conditions such as cancer. Blood in the stool should be evaluated by a healthcare professional. Rectal bleeding (known medically as hematochezia) refers to passage of bright red blood from the anus, often mixed with stool and/or blood clots. Most rectal bleeding comes from the colon, rectum, or anus. The color of the blood during rectal bleeding often depends on the location of the bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. Generally, the closer the bleeding site is to the anus, the blood will be a brighter red. Thus, bleeding from the anus, rectum, and the sigmoid colon tend to be bright red, whereas bleeding from the transverse colon and the right colon (transverse and right colon are several feet away from the anus) tend to be dark red or maroon colored. In some patients bleeding can be black and "tarry" (sticky) and foul smelling. The black, smelly and tarry stool is called melena. Melena occurs when the blood is in the colon long enough for the bacteria in the colon to break it down into chemicals (hematin) that are black. Therefore, melena usually signifies bleeding is from the upper gastrointestinal tract (for example: bleeding from ulcers in the stomach or the duodenum or from the small intestine) because the blood usually is in the gastrointestinal tract for a longer period of time before it exits the body. Sometimes melena may occur with bleeding from the right colon. On the other hand, blood from the sigmoid colon and the rectum usually does not stay in the colon long enough for the bacteria to turn it black. Rarely, massive bleeding from the right colon, from the small intestine, or from ulcers of the stomach or duodenal can cause rapid transit of the blood through the gastrointestinal tract and result in bright red rectal bleeding. In these situations, the blood is moving through the colon so rapidly that there is not enough time for the bacteria to turn the blood black. Sometimes, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract can be too slow to cause either rectal bleeding or melena. In these patients bleeding is occult (not visible to the naked eyes). The blood is found only by testing the stool for blood (fecal occult blood testing) in the laboratory. Occult bleeding has many of the same causes as rectal bleeding and may result in the same symptoms as rectal bleeding. It is often associated with anemia

that is due to loss of iron along with the blood (iron deficiency anemia). For more information, please see the colon cancer screening Blood in Stools: Causes, Natural Cures, Prevention- Melena & Piles October 6, 2008 | Filed Under Natural Home Remedies Blood in stools condition is normally referred to, in medical terms as melena. To distinguish between the causes of melena, associated complaints, if present, are taken into account which usually determines the area of involvement resulting in melena. Causes of the blood in stools can be divided according to the area affected like: esophagus (stomach area), intestinal and anal region. Esophageal or Upper Gastro Intestinal causes of Melena 1. Blood in stools can be commonly present in gastric or duodenal ulcers. With the stressful life people lead nowadays, this seams to be the most common cause. See also Melena symptoms 2. Oesophagitis or commonly known as, inflammation of food pipe, also results in bleeding in stools. Common Cause of Blood in Stools  Stress, eating of oily and spicy foods.  History of taking any medications, specially over the counter medicines like aspirin and other pain killers or persons who are on steroids.  History of regular intake of alcohol.  Excessive smoking and use of betel leaves and tobacco. Read about causes of white poop in adults Intestinal Causes of Blood in Stools 1. Amoebic dysentery or commonly know as food poisoning, can also lead to blood in stools. 2. Other condition called as ulcerative colitis, also leads to bleeding. It can be associated with mild to moderate abdominal pain with cramps and with mild fever. 3. Intestinal worms can also cause blood in stools. Common causes being eating food in unhygienic conditions, unwashed vegetables etc. before cooking, eating stale food. Anal Lesions Causes 1. Fissure in ano- a condition in which the anal mucosa gets cracked resulting in bleeding. Anal fissure is mostly caused by chronic constipation or hard stools. 2. Hemorrhoids or piles which results in bleeding in stools. Other Causes of Melena  Previous history of jaundice  Previous history of typhoid fever.  Cancer of gastric mucosa.

 Abdominal Kochs or Tuberculosis.

These conditions require thorough investigations. The above causes mentioned are most common and observed in day to day life. Treatment and preventive measures change according to the causes of blood in stools. A basic line of home remedies to soothe the gastro-intestinal tract which will help in prevention of melena is recommended below. For prevention of Blood in Stool  Take plenty of green vegetables and fibrous food regularly with fruits and juices.  Use whole meal flour, avoid refined ones.  Avoid fried items, hot and spicy food.  Drink a glass of water in the morning.  Try to establish regular bowel habits and always answer natures call promptly.  Avoid excessive intake of tea and coffee.  Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.  Avoid anxiety and worry. Home remedies for Blood in Stool To avoid constipation  Mix in equal quantities, dry ginger powder and senna leaves powder. Take 5gms of this powder along with a cup of lukewarm water before going to bed. This helps in easy passage of stools. For bleeding piles  Poultice made of sesame seeds can be applied over bleeding piles as an external measure and 1/2 of tea spoon of sesame seeds with little butter can be taken orally.  Butter milk mixed with little bit of black pepper powder and salt, should be taken daily for a few months.  Crush about 11 rose petals with 50ml of water and take for 3 days on empty stomach.