Reasons For Blood in Stool

Blood in stool is quite a common condition, which many of us experience as a symptom of some underlying medical problem. Many times, it is also observed in infants and children, wherein the primary cause is an anal fissure due to constipation. Other reasons for blood in stool in children are rectal bleeding and severe bowel problems. For adults, there are so many causal reasons for blood in stool, which we will discuss in this article. But, before we jump to the causes, let's take a look at the basic information regarding bloody stools.

Information on Blood in Stool

Based on the color of the blood in stools (bright red or blackish), a quick diagnosis can be made whether the bleeding originated in the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract (GI). In case of an upper GI bleeding, the blood passes through the ileum and colon, where oxidation of the hemoglobin takes place, resulting in blackish or tarry stool. Such a dark-colored bloody stool is called melena. On the contrary, hematochezia refers to bright red colored blood in stools. This signifies bleeding in the lower GI tract, somewhere in the colon or rectum.

Possible Reasons For Blood in Stool

Seeing blood in stool can be a scary experience. Do not mistake the dietary pigments that may be present in feces after having food like beets, red licorice and chocolate. Also, administration of iron supplements and various other medicines may cause red colored stool. Mentioned below are some of the common medical reasons for blood in stool:

Rectal Bleeding: Rectal bleeding is the most common reason for causing blood in stool. Over here, bleeding occurs either in the sigmoid colon or rectum. Health conditions that cause rectal bleeding are passing very hard stool, constipation and hemorrhoids. Such underlying problems can be handled with effective treatment approaches.

Ulcer Diseases: Bleeding ulcers either in the stomach or duodenum portion are also probable reasons for blood in stool. In such conditions, the color of the blood in the stool is dark red to blackish red. Bloody stool is also a sign of gastritis or inflammation of the stomach lining.

Diverticulitis: Blood in stool can be resulted due to diverticulitis, a medical problem in which bulging pockets and weak spots are present in the walls of the large intestine or bowel. Increased pressure in the bowel can lead to diverticular bleeding, resulting in bloody stool. Treatment involves consuming fiber rich diet and medication.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Another possible reason for blood in stool are inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. Associated symptoms of ulcerative colitis are mild to severe abdominal pain, cramps and at times, fever. Limited blood flow (ischemia) in the large intestine can also cause bloody stool.

Internal Injury: Internal injury or damage of blood vessels anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract can result in bloody stool. Tearing followed by bleeding may occur in the esophagus, stomach and intestines. Proper diagnosis is essential to identify the location of injury and/or bleeding.

Colon Cancer: In some patients, colon cancer is identified as the major reason for blood in stool. If the physician suspects any cancer related problem, he may conduct a carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) test in order to rule out other causes of bloody stools. Individuals past 40 years of age are at a higher risk of developing colon cancer than others.

In addition, malfunctioning of the blood vessels can result in bloody stool. Even though some of the reasons for blood in stool are mild and treatable, others may be life-threatening if left untreated for a prolonged period. Hence, in case you are experiencing bloody stools do not delay in getting it diagnosed by a qualified physician.