Blood In Stool – 7 Possible Causes In The Colon
Blood in stool is often discovered with some fright, accompanied best by exclamations of bloody (adjective, not expletive). Excrement are covered with scarlet red specks of blood. Toilet tissue is smudged by maroon red drops of blood. Down the legs and into the toilet bowl drips bright red spots of blood. It is quite natural to feel a sudden pang of dismay.
Dismay is understandable but panic is unnecessary at this stage as the rectal bleeding or hemorrhaging could be due to any of 7 possible causes originating in the colon. Prudent attention to ensure early diagnosis and proper treatment will reduce any unsettling lifestyle changes as the best part of the 7 causes are healable. Do not be complacent. Pay close attention. Visit your doctor without delay if bleeding, with pain, drags on for over a week.
Correct diagnosis will pinpoint the exact ailment so that applicable treatment can be applied to resolve the problem. More devastatingly, blood in stool may be the result of some class of cancer.
Melena and Hematochezia
Medical circles refer to the bleeding as hematochezia (bright red or maroon colored blood) or melena (black colored tarry or sticky stools) or ordinarily the less technical term, rectal bleeding. Though so called because the blood exits the body via the rectum, the 7 causes may originate in the small or large (colon) intestinal tract. In the colon, the 7 known causes are cancer, colon polyps, diverticulosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, intestinal ischaemia and peptic ulcer.
Colorectal Cancer
On a worldwide yearly basis, 640,000 deaths are blamed on colorectal cancer, the 3rd most frequent cancer in the world. It is the reason why one must consult a medical specialist for persisting blood in stool.
Colorectal cancer includes cancerous tumours in the colon, rectum and appendix. Surgical removal and chemotherapy are customary treatment for colorectal cancer which is usually identified by colonoscopy (visual inspection by micro-camera introduced via the anus. Timely discovery often leads to a total cure. Those over 50 and those with family history of cancers fall into the higher risk group. Colorectal cancer is gender blind, affecting both women and men, with no obvious bias for either sex..
It is critical to be aware of this next bit of information. Contrary to popular internet literature, colorectal cancer customarily brings forth occult (invisible to the naked eye) blood in feces i.e it is NOT a frequent reason for visible blood in stool! The University of Michigan Health System has done research that shows that colorectal cancer may produce blood that is not perceived by the naked eye, i.e. occult bleeding, which can only be detected with laboratory tests. Important associated symptoms to watch out for are constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, appetite loss, weight loss and constant fatigue.
Colon Polyp
Raised or flat, polyps are generally benign growths on the rectum or intestinal walls. They are likely to happen in those above 50 years of age and those with a family history of polyps and colorectal cancer. Smoking, alcohol, obesity and lack of exercise are contributory causal factors. So it seems that the true culprit is unknown.
Whilst benign, polyps are commonly removed during colonoscopy as they can turn malignant. Many people who have polyps exhibit no symptoms at all. But on occasion, blood in stool present itself.
Diverticulosis
Pouches (diverticula) stretching from the colon wall is typical of diverticulosis. Diverticula growth is speculated to result from abnormal colon pressure, the causes of which are not entirely straightforward. An absence of dietary fiber complicates diverticulosis. Diverticulitis is an infection that may arise if food gets trapped in diverticula. If an infected diverticulum ruptures, bacteria will disseminate into the abdominal cavity leading to severe complications. Peritonitis, which is potentially fatal, can develop.
Most people with diverticulosis do not report any symptoms at all. Mild cramps, constipation and bloating are some experienced symptoms. More severe symptoms include vomiting, nausea and rectal bleeding. The prospect of peritonitis attest to the urgency that blood in stool should in the first instance be examined by a doctor. Effective diagnosis of diverticulitis can be accomplished with a CT (computed tomography) scan.
Ulcerative Colitis
Colitis falls under the classification of IBD or inflammatory bowel disease. Wounding of body tissues activates the robust healing functions of inflammation. Inflammation triggers rebuilding of injured tissue but if left unchecked, it proceeds to cause tissue injury. Ulceration or deterioration of the mucous membrane lining lead to ulcerative colitis.
Among other symptoms, blood in stool is frequent. The risk of peritonitis from colitis is the key reason for establishing it as the cause of rectal bleeding.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an auto-immune disease whereby the body’s immune system induces harmful inflammation by turning on the gastrointestinal tract. The whole gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus, can succumb to Crohn’s disease. However, the large intestine (colon) and small intestine, are the usual sites~But it typically affects the small and large intestine (colon)~The small and large intestine (colon), however, are the main affected areas.
Industrial environmental exposure, genetic makeup and smoking are believed to be contributory causal factors even though definitive causes are unknown. The symptoms are blood in stool, blood in toilet bowl or on toilet tissue, abdominal cramps, severe bloody diarrhea, weight loss and fever.
Sporadically reappearances throughout life or permanent remission both typecast Crohn’s disease, also known as as granulomatous colitis. There is currently no known medical cure, whether pharmaceutical or surgical. Early diagnosis is important for effectual management of the symptoms and counteracting relapses.
Intestinal Ischemia
Ischemia is a restriction in blood supply to any part of the body. Typically due to dysfunctional blood vessels, it causes tissue damage from deprivation of oxygen and nutrients. Causing inflammation of the large intestines, intestinal ischemia is a lack of blood supply that is a consequence of blood vessel constriction, blood clots and high blood pressure.
Symptoms include blood in stool, abdominal bloating, abdominal cramps, violent bowel movements, nausea, fever and weight loss. Consistent pain requires immediate medical attention to rejuvenate regular blood supply to the intestinal tract. It may be crucial to surgically get around blocked blood vessels and excise blood clots and damaged tissue. To stave off clots and infections, respective medication includes anticoagulants and antibiotics.
Peptic Ulcer
An extremely painful ulcer, this is located in the gastrointestinal tract. At least 0.5cm in diameter, an ulcer is an deterioration of the mucosal membrane. The duodenum (initial part of the small intestine), and not the stomach, is where peptic ulcers are largely found. Peptic ulcers are generally speculated to be caused by a bacterium that inflicts chronic gastritis.
Symptoms include blood in stool (melena), appetite and weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting blood and intestinal perforation which is dangerous. This can lead to potentially deadly peritonitis and entails emergency surgery. Acidity and bacteria, in easier cases, can be cured by antacids and antibiotics respectively.
Hemorrhoids
Correct diagnosis by a doctor is needed to conclude if any of the above 7 causes is the reason for your rectal bleeding. Expeditious recovery can be effected with appropriate treatment, perhaps surgery, and medication.
However, internal and external hemorrhoids, much less weighty 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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