Blood In Stool – Seven Root Causes In The Colon
Blood in stool is often discovered with some dread, accompanied suitably by exclamations of bloody (not the expletive but the adjective). Stools are wrapped with scarlet red blood droplets. Toilet tissue is stained by maroon red specks of blood. Bright red spots of blood stream into the toilet bowl or down the legs. A sudden surge of anxiety causes our hearts to jump a beat or two.
But really, there is no reason to fear as the rectal hemorrhaging or bleeding could be traced to any number of 7 possible reasons emanating from the colon. Annoying they will be but most of the 7 causes are treatable with early diagnosis and the right approach. Vigilance is the order of the day. Start observing. If unrelenting bleeding and pain drags on for more than a week, consult a doctor immediately.
Suitable treatment can be applied to solve the problem once rigorous diagnosis confirms the exact cause. More crucially, blood in stool may be originate from some type of cancer.
Hematochezia or Melena
Hematochezia (maroon or bright red colored blood) or melena (black sticky or tarry stools) are two medical identifications for the less technical term rectal bleeding. Whilst referred to as rectal bleeding as the exit is the rectum, the origins of the blood may be any of 7 causes in the colon (large intestine). In the colon, the 7 known causes are cancer, colon polyps, diverticulosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, intestinal ischaemia and peptic ulcer.
Colorectal Cancer
The 3rd leading reason behind cancer-related death, with yearlong toll of 640,000, colorectal cancer is also the 3rd most prevailing cancer on a global scale. For this very reason one must consult a doctor for persisting blood in stool.
Tumours in the colon, appendix and rectum are classified as colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy (visual inspection by micro-camera inserted via the anus) is the main means of uncovering colorectal cancer. Treatment focuses on surgical excision and chemotherapy. Timely detection often leads to a complete cure. Higher risk groups include those over 50 years of age and those with family history of cancers. Colorectal cancer does not differentiate gender, afflicting both women and men to rank among the top fatal cancers..
It is vital to be aware of this next bit of information. Quite in contrast to what is published elsewhere, colorectal cancer normally produces occult (not visible to the naked eye) blood in feces i.e it is NOT a customary cause of visible blood in stool! Bleeding caused by colorectal cancer may be visible or occult (unobservable by the naked eye), needing special tests for determination; this based on work done by the University of Michigan Health System. Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, appetite loss, weight loss and constant fatigue are accompanying symptoms to watch out for.
Colon Polyp
Raised or flat, polyps are in the main benign growths on the rectum or intestinal walls. Those above 50 years of age and with a family history of polyps and colorectal cancer are prone to polyps. Contributory factors include lack of exercise, obesity, alcohol and smoking. In truth, the actual cause has not been pinpointed.
For safety sake, benign polyps are usually excised during colonoscopy as they may turn malignant. The majority of with polyps demonstrate no symptoms at all|Symptoms may not be demonstrated at all in most who have polyps|Polyps do not usually cause obvious symptoms. But in some people, blood in stool is present.
Diverticulosis
Pouches (diverticula) extending from the colon wall is distinctive of diverticulosis. The reasons behind diverticula, whilst not evident, are postulated to be primarily abnormal colon pressure. Paucity of dietary fiber aggravates diverticulosis. If food gets embedded in diverticula, infection may set in causing diverticulitis. If an infected diverticulum bursts open, bacteria will disseminate into the abdominal cavity leading to serious complications. Peritonitis, which is possibly deadly, can develop.
The majority of people with diverticulosis do not feel any symptoms at all. Some may be stricken with symptoms of constipation, bloating and mild cramps. More severe symptoms include vomiting, nausea and rectal bleeding. The risks of peritonitis attest to the urgency that blood in stool should first be examined by a doctor. A CT (computed tomography) scan is 98% effectual in diagnosing diverticulitis.
Ulcerative Colitis
Colitis is categorized as an inflammatory bowel disease, a group of inflammatory conditions of the small intestine and the large intestine (colon). Inflammation by itself is a wholesome bodily reaction to heal injured tissue. Like a tap that must be turned off, inflammation sets off regenerating of impaired tissue but must discontinue thereafter or greater tissue impairment may ensue. Colitis in the colon is caused by ulcers which are wearing away of the mucous membrane lining.
Apart from other symptoms, blood in stool is common. Eliminating colitis as the reason behind rectal bleeding is imperative 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 causing destructive inflammation. From the mouth to the anus, Crohn’s disease can arise anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the large intestine (colon) and small intestine, are the usual sites~But it primarily affects the small and large intestine (colon)~The small and large intestine (colon), however, are the primary affected areas.
Clear-cut causes are not known but it is believed to be due to one or all of several factors including industrial environmental exposure, genetic makeup and smoking. 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 remission and recur occasionally throughout life. Whether pharmaceutical or surgical, there is as of now no known medical cure. Early detection is vital for effectual management of the symptoms and preventing relapses.
Intestinal Ischemia
The suppression of blood supply to any part of the body is described as ischemia. Usually due to dysfunctional blood vessels, it leads to tissue damage from deprivation of oxygen and nutrients. Intestinal ischemia or ischemic colitis refers to inflammation of the large intestine due to insufficient blood supply as a result of low blood pressure, blood vessel constriction or blood clots.
Symptoms include blood in stool, abdominal bloating, abdominal cramps, violent bowel movements, nausea, fever and weight loss. The restoration of intestinal blood supply is a medical emergency if there is constant pain. Surgery may be necessary to excise infected tissue, blockages and blood clots and to circumvent blocked blood vessels. Anticoagulants and antibiotics are medications to thwart blood clots and infections respectively.
Peptic Ulcer
This is an exceptionally painful ulcer in the gastrointestinal tract. An deterioration 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 normally found. A bacterium that causes chronic gastritis is presumed to be a dominant reason for peptic ulcers.
Symptoms include blood in stool (melena), vomiting of blood, appetite and weight loss, bloating, nausea and more seriously, intestinal perforation. This can lead to possibly deadly peritonitis and entails emergency surgery. Antibiotics and antacids can be used to cure milder cases.
Hemorrhoids
The above 7 causes is the rationale why rectal bleeding needs the skills of a medical doctor who can perform a precise diagnosis. Correct treatment and medication, possibly including surgery, can propel the path to recovery.
However, internal and external hemorrhoids, much less grim than the above causes, are the most usual reason for blood in stool.
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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