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What does bright red blood in stool mean ? | Best Health Channel
• Bleeding from the gut implies that there is a break in the integrity of the intestinal lining (mucosa).
• Bleeding can occur throughout the length of the gut and possible causes include:
• Benign and malignant tumors; inflammation such as infectious colitis or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD);
• ulcers such as peptic ulcers; esophagitis; or a traumatic tear such as may occur in the anus (fissure) or the lower end of the esophagus.
• Often the source of the bleeding is not obvious, although its nature may offer clues as to its origins.
• Intestinal bleeding is potentially serious and demands investigation – often as an emergency.
• Bright red blood covering the surface of the stool means the bleeding is at or just above the anus.
• It is a common symptom and usually turns out to be a tear of the anus itself (anal fissure), especially if the stools are very hard and painful to pass.
• Less commonly such bleeding can be due to a proctitis (inflammation of the lower rectum usually due to IBD) or a rectal tumor.
• Inspection of the anus and sigmoidoscopy can identify these.
• In those who have a family history of colon cancer, or who are older than 50 years of age, the doctor may order a colon examination to exclude it – usually a colonoscopy.
• Bright red blood mixed with the stools indicates the bleeding is acute and likely in the colon.
• Causes include infections, IBD, diverticula, or tumor.
• If a great deal of blood is lost, an emergency colonoscopy will be necessary.
• Sometimes bleeding from the stomach can be so perfuse that it appears as bright red blood from the rectum.
• In this case, the individual may be faint and show signs of blood-loss shock – an emergency situation.
• Slower bleeding from the upper GI tract (esophagus, stomach, or duodenum) will show as darker blood or even as black, tar-like stools.
• Bleeding ulcers (often due to NSAIDS), or ruptured esophageal veins seen in liver disease are common causes.
• Sometimes the bleeding is very slow, and of insufficient volume to discolor the stool.
• Here the bleeding is said to be "occult," and may be detected if the doctor notices a person is pale or if blood tests reveal an anemia (low blood hemoglobin).
• Talk to a doctor is you notice any of these.