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Hematochezia is passing stool with blood, indicating bleeding in the lower intestinal tract. It can be caused by colon cancer, irritable bowel disease, hemorrhoids, polyps, foreign objects, intestinal ischemia, or trauma. It requires medical attention and may require emergency treatment.
Hematochezia is the technical term for passing stool with blood. It is distinguished from melena, a dark, tarry stool that contains digested blood, and from bleeding around the anus, which causes bright red blood. In patients with hematochezia, blood indicates that there is bleeding somewhere in the lower intestinal tract. It can be indicative of a number of medical problems and can be a cause for concern.
One of the more concerning causes of hematochezia is colon cancer, which can cause blood to appear in the stool as the cancer spreads, as many cancerous tumors bleed. Irritable bowel disease can also cause hematochezia, which can be a concern when it causes bleeding ulcerations in the lower intestine. Extremely large upper gastrointestinal bleedings can also result in bloody stools.
Hemorrhoids are another common reason people have bloody stools, as is diverticulosis. Polyps in the intestine, benign or otherwise, can also lead to the development of hematochezia. Likewise, foreign objects in the intestines can cause bleeding because they can cut into the walls of the intestine. This is a definite cause for concern, as a ruptured bowel is something that requires surgical attention.
Intestinal ischemia, in which the blood supply to part of the intestine is cut off, can also cause bloody stools. Ischemia is a concern because tissue that has been cut can die from lack of blood, which can lead to an abdominal infection. Similarly, trauma can cause bleeding, in which case it is very important to find out where the bleeding is so that it can be addressed. This may require surgery to explore the intestines and check for signs of damage, as well as checking for other internal bleeding that may have been caused by the trauma.
When people notice blood in their stool, they should call a doctor. The doctor or nurse will ask a few questions to determine whether or not the patient needs to come in. In some cases, the doctor or nurse may decide that the patient does not need treatment unless the problem persists or there is an emergency, so that the patient can come for a routine appointment when one becomes available . In other cases, hematochezia may be a reason for a visit to the emergency department for immediate diagnosis and treatment by hospital staff.
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