Blood In Stool – Seven Root Causes In The Colon
Blood in stool is often discovered with some dismay, accompanied pertinently by exclamations of bloody (adjective, not expletive). Blood droplets, scarlet red, stand out clearly on stools. Maroon red blood droplets spots the toilet tissue. Down the legs and into the toilet bowl drips bright red spots of blood. Quite naturally, alarm bells ring and cause a sudden pang of consternation.
Fear is understandable but panic is unnecessary at this stage as the rectal bleeding or hemorrhaging could be the result of any of 7 possible causes emanating from the colon. Whilst the 7 causes will be upsetting, they are healable with careful attention to ensure early diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Caution is the order of the day. Begin close monitoring. Visit your doctor without delay if bleeding, with pain, continues for over a week.
Pertinent treatment can be administered to solve the problem once rigorous diagnosis pinpoints the exact ailment. More calamitously, blood in stool may be find its root origin in some class of cancer.
Hematochezia and Melena
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. Rectal bleeding may exit via the rectum but the root cause may be in the colon (large intestine) or the small intestine. Cancer, colon polyps, diverticulosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, intestinal ischaemia and peptic ulcer are the 7 known causes in the colon.
Colorectal Cancer
On a worldwide yearlong basis, 640,000 deaths are pinned on colorectal cancer, the 3rd most frequent cancer in the world. It is the reason why one should consult a doctor for frequent blood in stool.
Malignant growths in the colon, appendix and rectum are categorised as colorectal cancer. Colonoscopy (visual inspection by micro-camera inserted via the anus) is the usual means of uncovering colorectal cancer. Treatment focuses on surgical removal and chemotherapy. Early detection often leads to a complete cure. Higher risk groups encompass those over 50 years of age and those with family history of cancers. Gender makes no difference as colorectal cancer is among the top death-causing cancers among both women and men..
This next point is noteworthy. Contrary to popular internet literature, colorectal cancer usually brings forth occult (invisible to the naked eye) blood in feces i.e it is NOT a routine cause of visible blood in stool! Colorectal cancer results in occult bleeding i.e. blood is not observable by the naked eye, and special tests are needed for authentication. This is according to the University of Michigan Health System. Constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, appetite loss, weight loss and constant fatigue are tell-tale symptoms to watch out for.
Colon Polyp
Polyps are mainly benign growths, raised or flat, on the walls of the intestinal tract and the rectum. Polyps have a preponderance to appear in those over 50 and with a family history of colorectal cancer and polyps. The ordinary sedentary lifestyle of too little exercise, obesity, over-indulgence in fatty foods, smoking and alcohol are attributed as culprits. In short, no one knows the true cause.
For safety sake, benign polyps are generally excised during colonoscopy as they may become malignant. Many with polyps show no symptoms at all|Symptoms may not show up at all in most who have polyps|Polyps do not usually cause overt symptoms. But in others, blood in stool appears.
Diverticulosis
This is the appearance of pouches or pockets (diverticula), stretching out of the colon wall. Diverticula growth is assumed to stem from abnormal colon pressure, the reasons for which are not entirely clear. A lack of dietary fiber is believed to be a contributory factor. Diverticulitis is an infection that may arise if food gets lodged in diverticula. Further damage can ensue if the infected diverticulum ruptures to disseminate bacteria to the abdominal lining. The potentially fatal peritonitis can materialise.
Diverticulosis do not cause observable symptoms in most people. Some may report symptoms of constipation, bloating and mild cramps. Yet others suffer more severely, including nausea, vomiting and rectal bleeding as the most common symptoms. The dangers posed by peritonitis emphasises the need that blood in stool should first be examined by a doctor. Diverticulitis can be effectually diagnosed with a CT (computed tomography) scan.
Ulcerative Colitis
Colitis falls under the classification of IBD or inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammation by itself is a normal bodily reaction to heal damaged tissue. Inflammation is a double-edged sword, triggering off remedying of injured tissue but causing tissue wounds if left uncontrolled. Erosion of the mucous membrane lining, commonly known as ulcers, can erupt to cause colitis in the colon.
Among other symptoms, blood in stool is prevalent. The dire prospect of peritonitis from colitis is the key reason for diagnosing it as the cause of rectal bleeding.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an auto-immune disease whereby the body’s immune system provokes harmful inflammation by attacking the gastrointestinal tract. From the mouth to the anus, Crohn’s disease can develop anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract. However, the large intestine (colon) and small intestine, are the primary sites~But it usually affects the small and large intestine (colon)~The small and large intestine (colon), however, are the usual affected areas.
Smoking, genetic makeup and industrial environmental exposure are believed to be contributory causal factors even though absolute causes are unknown. The symptoms are blood in stool, abdominal cramps, severe bloody diarrhea, blood on toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl, fever and weight loss.
Sporadically recurrences throughout life or permanent abeyance both characterize Crohn’s disease, also termed as granulomatous colitis. Presently, there is no known surgical or pharmaceutical solution for Crohn’s disease. Early diagnosis is crucial for effective control of the symptoms and checking relapses.
Intestinal Ischemia
Suppressing blood to any part of the body is termed as ischemia. Commonly due to dysfunctional blood vessels, it results in tissue damage from deprivation of oxygen and nutrients. Intestinal ischemia or ischemic colitis refers to inflammation of the large intestine due to lack of blood supply caused by low blood pressure, blood vessel constriction or blood clots.
Symptoms include blood in stool, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, abdominal bloating, and violent bowel movements, weight loss, nausea and fever. The restoration of intestinal blood supply is a medical emergency if there is consistent pain. Surgery may be required to excise infected tissue, blockages and blood clots and to get around blocked blood vessels. To retard clots and infections, respective medication includes anticoagulants and antibiotics.
Peptic Ulcer
An immensely painful ulcer, this is located in the gastrointestinal tract. At least 0.5cm in diameter, an ulcer is an deterioration of the mucosal membrane. Frequently mistaken to manifest in the stomach, peptic ulcers are actually prevalent in the duodenum (initial part of the small intestine). A bacterium that causes chronic gastritis is conjectured to be a major cause of peptic ulcers.
Symptoms include blood in stool (melena), appetite and weight loss, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting blood and intestinal perforation which is dangerous. Possibly deadly peritonitis, which entails emergency surgery, can manifest. Easier cases can be treated with antibiotics and antacids.
Hemorrhoids
Rectal bleeding may result from any of the above 7 causes and only correct diagnosis by a doctor can pinpoint the exact one, if any. Expeditious recovery can be accomplished with correct treatment, perhaps surgery, and medication.
Do not be depressed by the grim causes above for the most frequent cause of blood in stool is the relatively more innocuous hemorrhoids.
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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