What does blood in your stool mean

Below are some common causes of blood in stool: Hemorrhoids : Hemorrhoids are the most common cause of the kind of rectal bleeding that can lead to blood being found in the stool. In essence, hemorrhoids are swollen veins inside or just outside the rectum that usually become swollen because of excessive straining on the toilet or problems with chronic diarrhea or constipation. Bleeding can occur when the hemorrhoids are particularly inflamed or if a difficult bowel movement causes a rupture.

Diverticular Disease : Also known as diverticulitis, this condition is characterized by small, abnormal pouches called diverticula in the colon wall becoming inflamed and swollen. Diverticulitis can cause a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms, and in more serious cases this can include bleeding and infection.

Anal Fissures : Though sometimes mistaken for hemorrhoids, anal fissures are actually small tears in the skin around the anus. Most causes of anal fissures have to do with the physical act of defecation; in most cases, attempting to pass very hard stools typically associated with constipation can cause a tear. Anal fissures are also an example of the kind of bleeding that would be bright red and visible on toilet paper.

Peptic Ulcers : Peptic ulcer disease refers to sores or breaks in the lining of the stomach or esophagus that can occur when there is an imbalance in the contents of your stomach acid. When ulcers bleed, the blood that shows up in the stool tends to be very dark and can even cause the stool to have a black, tarry consistency. Symptoms also include diarrhea, constipation, or abdominal pain. Cancer : Colorectal cancer is one of the most common types of cancer in the United States, and it almost exclusively comes about after the development of polyps; polyps are small, abnormal growths that can form along the lining of the colon.

Polyps can be benign or cancerous, and in both cases bleeding is a possible symptom. Urgent advice: Get advice from now if:. Ask your GP practice for an urgent appointment. Bowel cancer risk Bleeding from the bottom is sometimes a sign of bowel cancer. This is easier to treat if it's found early, so it's important to get it checked.

Bright red causes Symptoms Possible causes Bright red blood and pain when pooing, itchy bottom, lumps piles haemorrhoids Bright red blood and pain when pooing — often after constipation a small tear in your anus anal fissure Bleeding with or without lumps, itching or pain sexually transmitted infections STIs like genital warts, damage from anal sex Bright red blood without pain side effect of blood-thinning medicine like warfarin or aspirin, broken blood vessels in the gut angiodysplasia.

A GP can check if you're worried. Dark causes Symptoms Possible causes Blood and yellow slime when pooing, irritated anus, non stop bottom pain anal fistula Bloody diarrhoea with clear slime, feeling and being sick tummy bug gastroenteritis Bloody diarrhoea , tummy cramps and pain, feeling bloated an inflammatory bowel disease IBD like ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease Blood in poo bleeding in the anus, bowel or lower gut from injury or another problem Blood in poo, change in pooing habits like looser poo, diarrhoea or constipation , slime with poo bowel polyps , early signs of bowel cancer.

A doctor will first ask how much blood was visible in the bowel movement, and they may also order a test called a complete blood count to help determine the extent of the blood loss.

The next steps depend on how much blood was lost. If a person reports a large amount of blood loss and has a low blood count, the doctor may perform an urgent endoscopy. This involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a camera at one end into the GI tract to look for the source of the bleeding.

An upper endoscopy involves guiding the endoscope through the mouth and down into the upper GI tract. A colonoscopy is a form of endoscopy that involves inserting the endoscope into the anus and through the lower GI tract. Once the doctor has identified the source of the bleeding, they can insert tiny instruments through the endoscope and use them to repair the damaged tissue. If the doctor is unable to identify and resolve the bleed, they may recommend surgical removal of all or part of the damaged area.

If bleeding results from an ulcer, infection, or inflammation, the doctor may prescribe medications. In some cases, surgery is necessary to prevent further bleeding. The doctor may perform it using endoscopy or colonoscopy. The procedure may involve:. Some symptoms are less severe but still warrant investigation. A person should see a doctor if they experience:.

Blood in stool can be alarming, but it is not always a cause for concern. The cause may be relatively harmless and heal on its own. However, if the bleeding is persistent, seek medical advice. This is especially important if the bleeding accompanies pain. Anyone who notices a lot of blood in a bowel movement should receive emergency care, especially if they also experience dizziness, fatigue, a rapid heartbeat, or shortness of breath.

Finding blood in the stool can be alarming. There are several possible causes, some of which are more serious than others. Learn more in this article. Although blood in a baby's stool is usually not an emergency, a medical diagnosis is vital. Learn about the potential causes of blood in baby stool…. The causes of black stool usually include colitis, stomach ulcers, and certain foods.

Treatment depends on the cause.