Seeing blood in your stool can be alarming, and rightly so! While sometimes the cause is minor, it’s essential to take it seriously and figure out why it’s happening. Let’s explore what different blood appearances might indicate, when it’s an emergency, and why a thorough evaluation by your Kendall primary care doctor is crucial.

Blood in Stool – What Does it Look Like?

The appearance of blood in your stool can give clues about the potential source of bleeding:

Bright Red Blood:

• Location Matters: Likely from the lower digestive system – your colon, rectum, or anus.
• Common Sources: Hemorrhoids, anal fissures, polyps in the colon, inflammatory bowel disease flares.
• Why It’s Red: The blood hasn’t been in your digestive tract long enough to change color.

Dark Red or Black Blood (Tarry Stools):

• Higher Up: This suggests bleeding in the upper digestive tract (i.e., the stomach, small intestine, or the start of the colon).
• What Happens: Digestive enzymes and bacteria partially break down the blood, turning it dark.
• Possible Causes: Stomach ulcers, bleeding varices (swollen veins), inflammatory conditions, or even some medications.

Bloody Diarrhea:

• Inflammation or Infection Likely: When blood is mixed with diarrhea, it points to irritation or inflammation in the intestines.
• Potential Culprits: Bacterial infections (E.Coli, Salmonella), ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, or intestinal parasites.

Possible Causes of Blood in Poop

The reasons range from relatively benign to those requiring urgent care:

Common & Often Minor:

• Hemorrhoids: Essentially varicose veins in a sensitive spot! Internal hemorrhoids are inside the rectum, while external ones are under the skin around the anus. They can become swollen and irritated, bleeding during bowel movements.
  • What it Looks Like: Bright red blood is usually on the toilet paper, on the outside of the stool, or dripping into the toilet bowl.
  • Why They Bleed: Straining or passing hard stools puts pressure on hemorrhoids, causing blood to leak.
• Anal Fissures: Tiny tears in the lining of the anus, often caused by constipation or passing large, hard stools.
  • Characteristics: Painful bowel movements followed by bright red blood. Might also feel a sharp pain immediately after passing a stool.

More Serious Conditions:

• Diverticulosis/Diverticulitis: Small pouches (diverticula) can form in a weakened part of your colon, usually with age. Diverticulosis alone often causes no symptoms. However, if the pouches become inflamed or infected (diverticulitis), bleeding can occur.
  • Bleeding Pattern: Can be painless, and might involve a significant amount of bright or dark red blood. Other diverticulitis symptoms can include abdominal cramps and fever.
• Ulcerative Colitis & Crohn’s Disease (IBD): These chronic diseases cause inflammation and ulcers along the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis primarily affects the colon, while Crohn’s can impact any part from the mouth down.
  • How they Cause Bleeding: The ulcers and ongoing inflammation damage the intestinal lining, leading to bloody diarrhea. IBD can cause a wide range of other symptoms too, like abdominal pain, fatigue, and weight loss.
• Polyps or Colorectal Cancer: Polyps are pre-cancerous growths inside the colon that can bleed, sometimes before causing other noticeable symptoms. Colorectal cancer often arises from polyps, and likewise, might cause bleeding as a sign.
  • Bleeding Isn’t Always Present: Early stage polyps or cancer might not bleed at all. This is why screening colonoscopies are so important, especially after age 45.

When is Blood in Stool an Emergency?

Seek immediate medical help (call 911 or go to the ER) if you have:

• Significant bleeding – passing large or multiple clots, feeling lightheaded
• Severe abdominal pain
• Persistent vomiting or diarrhea
• High fever or signs of shock (confusion, rapid breathing, pale skin)

Why You Need a Doctor’s Diagnosis

Even if the bleeding seems minor, don’t ignore it! Reasons for seeking prompt medical evaluation include:

• Ruling Out Serious Causes: Only a doctor can determine if cancer or other diseases require treatment.
• Finding the Source: Depending on the suspected cause, tests like colonoscopy might be needed.
• Preventing Progression: Conditions like ulcerative colitis need management to avoid severe flares.

Painless Bright Red Blood in Stool: Still Needs Attention!

Even without pain or other urgent symptoms, blood in your stool isn’t normal, especially if you’re over 50 or have risk factors for colorectal cancer. Timely evaluation is crucial.

The Takeaway

If you’re experiencing blood in your stool, the doctors, internists, and nurse practitioners at Hiriart & Lopez MD are here to help. We offer personalized evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment plans to address the root cause and restore your digestive health.

Schedule Your Consultation Today! Call our office at (305) 274-8779 or visit us at 9950 SW 107th Ave STE 101, Miami, FL, 33176.

Disclaimer: This is for informational purposes only. Always consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment, especially with urgent symptoms.