Blood in Stool: Everything You need to know about it

It is frightening to see blood in your stool this is because it is a symptom that can be attributed to several conditions. it could be a sign of a very serious problem but not always. you will be learning more about it in this article.

Blood in stool

when you notice blood in your stool, it suggests that somewhere in your digestive tract is bleeding. it signals gastrointestinal bleeding resulting from injury or disease that can occur in all ages.

When stool contains maroon or bright red color blood is referred to as Hematochezia while a black, tarry, and smelly stool are referred to as Melena. sometimes, blood can be in a very minute quantity that can only be detected via a stool test. this is referred to as fecal occult blood.

What makes up your digestive tract:
The digestive tract consists of the following organs

• esophagus
• stomach
• small intestine, including the duodenum
• large intestine or colon
• rectum
• anus and Bleeding can occur in any of these organs.

Other symptoms that might occur with bloody stool

there are many other symptoms that can occur along with blood in the stool depending on the disorder or condition.

• Weight loss
• Diarrhea
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• Abdominal swelling or bloating
• Body aches
• Fatigue
• Fecal incontinence
• Nausea
• Poor appetite
• Rectal bleeding
• Rectal pain
• Urgent need to pass stool
• Vomiting

A serious condition that requires immediate evaluation in an emergency setting comes with the following symptoms:

• Change in level of consciousness
• Confusion and disorientation
• Difficulty breathing
• tiredness and Fainting
• Fever higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit
• Rapid pulse
• Rigid, board-like abdomen
• Severe abdominal pain
• Vomiting blood or black material like coffee grounds
• loss of strength

What are the causes of blood in stool

Upper Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding

Upper GI bleeding is the main cause of lower GI bleeding according to surgeon attestation. bleeding that occurs in the stomach, esophagus, or small intestine is regarded as Upper GI bleeding while Bleeding in the lower intestine, large intestine rectum, or anus is known as Lower GI bleeding. the amount of bleeding can range from a very small amount to a life-threatening hemorrhage.

Causes of Upper GI bleeding

The basic reason for upper GI bleeding are

• a stomach ulcer;  an open sore in the lining of your stomach or duodenum
• Esophageal Varices; a condition in which an enlarged vein in the esophagus tears and bleed.
• Mallory-Weiss syndrome when there is a tear in the walls of the esophagus. it also causes upper GI bleeding.

To determine if you have upper GI bleeding, a gastroenterologist will perform an endoscopy.

Anal Fissure

This is the most common cause of bloody stool in children although it happens to Adults too. Anal fissure occurs as a result of passing out large firm stool or constipation. it usually heals on its own.

Causes of anal fissure

common causes include:

• Hard and large stools
• Constipation and straining during bowel movements
• Chronic diarrhea
• Anal intercourse
• Childbirth

Less common causes are:

• Crohn’s disease (another inflammatory bowel disease
• Tuberculosis
• Anal cancer
• HIV
• Syphilis

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoid is a common condition. in worst cases, it involves swollen and inflamed veins of the rectum or anus. they result in severe pain, discomfort, and bleeding. this condition is associated with obesity, pregnancy, and other conditions.

Causes of hemorrhoids

• Chronic constipation
• diarrhea
• straining during bowel movement
• sitting long on the toilet stresses the veins that drain blood from the colon and rectum. The rise in blood pressure may cause blood to slip from muscles and connective tissues meant to hold them.

This condition can be alleviated with a high fiber diet, stool softener drugs, topical creams, and in rare cases, procedures like sclerotherapy or hemorrhoidectomy may be recommended.

Angiodysplasia

This is a condition that causes swollen blood vessels and the formation of bleeding lesions in the colon and stomach. it is an abnormality in the esophagus, small and large intestines, stomach, or anus. Angiodysplasia is of different types depending on the location of the enlarged blood vessel. they are:

• colonic and gastric angiodysplasia
• angiodysplasia of the stomach and the intestine
• cecal angiodysplasia
• duodenal and small bowel angiodysplasia

The causes of this condition are unknown but enlargement of blood vessels can be a result of normal spams occurring in the GI.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)

The most common types are Crohn’s disease (inflammation of your digestive tract lining) and ulcerative colitis (inflammation and sore in lining of the large intestine). they are an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the bowels. common symptoms include abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, diarrhea, and an urgent need to move the bowels. the specific causes of IBD are not known but the malfunctioning immune system, genetics, and certain lifestyle are contributing factors.

Colon Cancer and Polyps

polyps are benign tumors on the large intestine, while malignant tumors in the large intestine are cancers that are believed to develop from polyps. bleeding is usually mild and does not cause low blood pressure. both cause bright red rectal bleeding, maroon-colored stools, and melena.

When you need to see the Doctor

blood in the stool is never normal and should be reported but some condition is considered an emergency, like :

• when stool is black this may be due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding. it is a potentially serious case in patients with liver disease and portal hypertension who have esophageal varices.
• when stool color is maroon this may be caused by upper GI bleeding or bleeding from the small intestine.
• when you experience symptoms of significant blood loss like Lightheadedness, weakness, fainting, chest pain, or shortness of breath.
• When Bleeding is accompanied by fever and abdominal pain.

Home remedy for anal fissure

• Eat more fiber to keep stool soft and also improve the healing process of the fissure. consume more fruits vegetables, whole grains, and nuts.
• Stay hydrated. it aids digestion and helps to prevent constipation. take more water and avoid alcohol, they can be dehydrating.
• engage in regular exercise or moderate physical activities like walking, this promotes bowel movements and aid blood flow to all part of the body which may promote healing of the anal fissure.
• do not strain during bowel movement it can cause a further tear or new tear. instead, inserting petroleum jelly into the rectum to protect your anal canal before each bowel movement, use the toilet the moment you feel the need and you may use an ice pack to relieve discomfort or sit in a bowl of warm water to relax the area several times a day.

Natural ways to stop bloody stool

you may choose any of these natural ways to stop blood in stool depending on the cause of the bleeding.

1 Relive Constipation

As mentioned earlier, consume more high-fiber food like raw fruits and vegetables, beans, seeds, and grains. and avoid junks

2 Calm bleeding hemorrhoids

If bleeding is due to hemorrhoid, then

• avoid constipation and maintain a healthy diet
• avoid alcohol and spicy foods, this makes hemorrhoid worst
• don’t sit too long on the toilet doing something else, it results in a strain that makes hemorrhoid worst.

3 Soften Stools

hard stool causes straining in the toilet leading to tearing in the skin of the anus. food to help you soften stools includes:

• Prune juice and other prune products
• Water
• Aloe vera
• Chia seeds
• Flaxseed and flaxseed oil
• Leafy green vegetables
• High-fiber fruit like figs, apples, pears, and berries
• Probiotic-rich foods
• Coconut water

Conclusion

There are many other causes of bloody stool. Some cause is harmless like anal fissure while other are of great concern like Cancer. but either way, it is important to see a physician.

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