Blood In Stool – 7 Possible Causes In The Colon
Blood in stool is often discovered with some fright, accompanied aptly by exclamations of bloody (not the expletive but the adjective). Excrement are coated with scarlet red specks of blood. Toilet tissue is besmirched by crimson red drops of blood. Bright red spots of blood stream into the toilet bowl or down the legs. It is quite natural to feel a sudden surge of dread.
It is definitely premature to panic for any number of 7 possibilities could explain the rectal bleeding. Whilst the 7 causes will be disruptive, they are treatable with diligent attention to ensure early detection and correct treatment. Do not be complacent. Start paying close attention. If bleeding continues for more than a couple of weeks, and especially if there is incessant pain, visit a medical doctor immediately.
Systematic diagnosis will pinpoint the precise ailment so that applicable treatment can be rendered to resolve the problem. More alarmingly, blood in stool may be find its root cause in some form of cancer.
Hematochezia and Melena
Rectal bleeding may be medically classified as melena (black sticky or tarry stools) or hematochezia (maroon or bright red colored blood). Rectal bleeding may leave via the rectum but the root cause may be in the colon (large intestine) or the small intestine. Cancer, colon polyps, diverticulosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, intestinal ischaemia and peptic ulcer are the 7 known causes in the colon.
Colorectal Cancer
With an annual global fatality toll of 640,000, colorectal cancer stands at the 3rd most prevalent cancer and also the 3rd most prevalent reason behind death. It is the reason why one must see a medical specialist for persisting blood in stool.
Colorectal cancer includes cancerous tumours in the colon, rectum and appendix. Colonoscopy (visual inspection by micro-camera inserted via the anus) is the usual means of uncovering colorectal cancer. Treatment focuses on surgical removal and chemotherapy. Timely detection often leads to a total cure. Those over 50 and those with family history of cancers are classified under the higher risk group. Colorectal cancer is gender blind, distressing both women and men, with no evident bias for either sex..
Another important piece of information needs to be highlighted. Contrary to popular internet literature, colorectal cancer customarily produces occult (invisible to the naked eye) blood in feces i.e it is NOT a typical cause of visible blood in stool! Colorectal cancer produces occult bleeding i.e. blood is not detectable by the naked eye, and special tests are needed for detection. This is according to the University of Michigan Health System. Crucial accompanying symptoms to watch out for are diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, weight loss, appetite loss and incessant fatigue.
Colon Polyp
Raised or flat, polyps are generally benign growths on the rectum or intestinal walls. They are likely to be present in those above 50 years of age and those with a family history of polyps and colorectal cancer. Smoking, alcohol, obesity and lack of exercise are contributory causal factors. In short, no one knows the real culprit.
Whilst benign, polyps are usually removed during colonoscopy as they can turn malignant. Many with polyps demonstrate no symptoms at all|Symptoms may not be exhibited at all in most who have polyps|Polyps do not usually cause apparent symptoms. But on occasion, blood in stool is present.
Diverticulosis
Pouches (diverticula) extending from the colon wall is distinctive of diverticulosis. The reasons behind diverticula, whilst unclear, are assumed to be primarily abnormal colon pressure. Ancillary factors include paucity of dietary fiber. Infection (diverticulitis) may set in if food gets lodged in the diverticula. Complications from diverticulitis can occur if an infected diverticulum ruptures and disseminates bacteria to the abdominal cavity lining. The conceivably deadly peritonitis can materialise.
Symptoms, if at all, are seldom distinct. Constipation, bloating and mild cramps are some observed symptoms. Yet others suffer more seriously, including nausea, vomiting and rectal bleeding as the most common symptoms. The risks of peritonitis reaffirm the view that blood in stool should in the first instance be examined by a doctor. Diverticulitis can be efficaciously diagnosed with a CT (computed tomography) scan.
Ulcerative Colitis
Colitis is categorized as an inflammatory bowel disease, a group of inflammatory conditions of the small intestine and the large intestine (colon). Injury to body tissues stimulates the wholesome healing functions of inflammation. Inflammation is a double-edged sword, triggering off regenerating of harmed tissue but causing tissue wounds if left unchecked. Ulcerative colitis is caused by deterioration of the mucous membrane lining i.e. ulcers.
Among other symptoms, blood in stool is characteristic. Eliminating colitis as the reason behind rectal bleeding is vital as they can become very severe when the colon is perforated.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory bowel disease but is also an auto-immune disease in which the body’s immune system attacks the gastrointestinal tract provoking injurious inflammation. The whole gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus, can succumb to Crohn’s disease. However, the large intestine (colon) and small intestine, are the main sites~But it primarily affects the small and large intestine (colon)~The small and large intestine (colon), however, are the main afflicted areas.
Industrial environmental exposure, genetic makeup and smoking are believed to be contributory causal factors even though clear-cut causes are unknown. The symptoms are blood in stool, blood in toilet bowl or on toilet tissue, abdominal cramps, severe bloody diarrhea, weight loss and fever.
Commonly described as granulomatous colitis, Crohn’s disease can go into abeyance and crop up again intermittently for the duration of life. There is presently no known medical cure, whether pharmaceutical or surgical. Early detection is important for efficacious control of the symptoms and averting relapses.
Intestinal Ischemia
The suppression of blood supply to any part of the body is known as ischemia. Dysfunctional blood vessels result in tissue damage due to the denial of blood nutrients and oxygen. Intestinal ischemia is the depletion blood supply causing inflammation of the large intestine; a result of blood clots, blood vessel constriction and general high blood pressure.
Symptoms include blood in stool, urgent and violent bowel movements, weight loss, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, abdominal bloating and fever. Immediate medical attention is warranted to restore intestinal blood supply if there is severe unrelenting pain. It may be unavoidable to surgically bypass choked blood vessels and excise blood clots and infected tissue. To avert clots and infections, respective medication includes anticoagulants and antibiotics.
Peptic Ulcer
An extremely painful ulcer, this is located in the gastrointestinal tract. An wearing away of the mucosal membrane that is at least 0.5cm in diameter is an ulcer. The duodenum (initial part of the small intestine), and not the stomach, is where peptic ulcers are usually found. Peptic ulcers are largely presumed to be caused by a bacterium that inflicts chronic gastritis.
Symptoms include blood in stool (melena), appetite and weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting blood and intestinal perforation which is dangerous. Potentially deadly peritonitis, which needs emergency surgery, can develop. Easier cases can be treated with antibiotics and antacids.
Hemorrhoids
Narrated above are 7 very good reasons for consulting a doctor for a detailed diagnosis when rectal bleeding is experienced. Expeditious recovery is possible with early detection, correct treatment and medication.
If the above heavy discourse has disheartened you, you may find it consolatory to know that the most prevalent cause of blood in stool is plain old hemorrhoids.
Further Reading
If you are interested in finding more about this topic, we have a related post on Bowel Movement Bleeding - Six Possible Causes Of Rectal Bleeding at our site. Do check this out.
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