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Bloody stools, or hematochezia, can be caused by various gastrointestinal problems. The color of the blood can indicate the location of the bleeding. While it can be a symptom of harmless conditions, it can also be a sign of serious illnesses such as cancer. A doctor can diagnose the cause through fecal tests and visual inspection of the GI tract. Mild and infrequent bloody stools are not always a cause for alarm, but persistent symptoms require medical attention.
Bloody stools are a symptom that can be caused by a variety of gastrointestinal problems. Referred to in medical terms as hematochezia, bloody stools may or may not be visible. When there are visible signs, patients are better able to describe their symptoms to their doctor. Sometimes blood is not visible, but is still present in the stool. This is confirmed by the analysis of fecal occult blood. Whether visible or not, bloody stools are caused by bleeding somewhere along the gastrointestinal tract.
One of the first things to give doctors their first clue as to the cause of bloody stools is the color of the blood. Typically, the brighter the red the blood, the closer to the rectum the bleeding occurs. The farther away from the rectum the blood source is, the longer the blood stays in the gastrointestinal tract. As blood passes through the tract, it is broken down by bacteria, making it darker or even black. Black “tar” stools are medically called melena.
Blood in the stool is often a symptom of a variety of harmless gastrointestinal conditions such as hemorrhoids or an anal fissure, but it can also be a symptom of more serious conditions such as stomach or colon cancer. Bloody stools can also be caused by Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, stomach ulcers, and any condition that can be uncertain but previously diagnosed as irritable bowel syndrome.
For a doctor to diagnose the cause of bloody stools, they can first confirm that blood is indeed present by doing a fecal test. The general location of GI bleeding can be determined by the color of the blood in the stool, but visual inspection of the GI tract is the only way for a doctor to be certain of the location. Bright red or brown blood in the stool will likely require a colonoscopy, while black or tarry stools may require an esophageal inspection. The extent of testing for diagnosis will depend on the severity and frequency of the bleeding, as well as other symptoms.
Bloody stools do not always indicate illness. Indeed this symptom can be very mild and infrequent due to constipation, hemorrhoids, or even after stomach viruses that have caused severe or violent vomiting. If the blood is present in small amounts and only on the toilet paper, simply be aware of any new or developing symptoms. Infrequent, mild bloody stools are no cause for alarm, and while it’s worth mentioning to your doctor, they may not require immediate medical attention. However, if bloody stools are present with other symptoms, especially fever, abdominal cramps, rectal bleeding, or persist for several days, see a doctor.
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