Blood in Stool (Feces)

Blood in stool should not be taken lightly as it is a serious condition and may lead to serious complication. It may be a severe condition wherein blood gets mixed with feces or bowel movement. Through the digestive tract, starting from mouth till anus, the blood can get mixed with the feces at any region. Stools containing blood may often be a formidable sign of prevalence of gastrointestinal issues due to any associated disease or injury. In case when stool seems to have bright red or maroon color blood, it may be possibly hematochezia. In some cases wherein the stools contain black or tarry and too smelly stool may indicate prevalence of melena. Bloody stool may be seen in case of people of any age.

Symptoms of blood in stool

There are various forms in which bloody stools can be noticed. For example, bright red blood may be seen in the stools. The blood can be noticed in the feces. In some cases along with blood in stool rectal bleeding or bleeding from the rectum is noticed. Whereas, in some cases blood content is so less that it cannot be noticed in the evacuated feces but it can be detected through stool tests. The blood released through feces is known as fecal occult blood which may be a formidable sign of any severe condition.

There are other symptoms that can be noticed along with blood in stool depending on the factor causing bloody stool. Though the condition usually includes gastrointestinal system but it may also involve other system of the body. It is also essential to inform your doctor about other symptoms experienced by you.

Other symptoms that may be experienced along with bloody stool may include:

• Pain or cramps in the stomach

• Bloating or swelling of stomach

• Ache in body

• Diarrhea

• Fatigue or tiredness

• Incontinence of fecal

• Queasiness

• Reduced appetite

• Bleeding from rectum

• Pain in rectum

• Urgency of passing stool

• Loss in weight

• Vomiting

Sometime blood in stool as well as other symptoms may also be experienced which be a possible sign of fatal health condition which should be examined immediately.

• Fluctuation or alteration in consciousness

• Confusion or disorientation

• Respiratory difficulties

• Dizziness or giddiness

• Fainting

• High fever of over 101 degree Fahrenheit

• Increased pulse rate

• Rigid stomach

• Extreme abdominal pain

• Vomiting dark substances (like coffee ground) or blood

• Reduced strength or weakness

Causes of blood in stool:

There several factors that may lead to blood in stool. For example, bloody stool may indicate mild or less serious conditions such as hemorrhoids or even constipation; whereas it may also be formidable indication of esophageal abnormalcies or even colon cancer which is serious life threatening condition. There are possibilities that it may be a side effect of certain medications such as aspirin etc.

It is believed that black and tarry feces usually suggest problem with upper gastrointestinal tract where the blood is coming from. This may include esophagus, abdomen or duodenum etc. On the other hand if blood seen in stool is maroon or red in color, it may indicate any problem with lower gastrointestinal tract such as colon, anus issues or rectal related problem. If bloody stool is also accompanied by symptoms such as giddiness, vomiting, queasiness or diarrhea, immediate medical attention should be obtained. However, the affected person may not be able to diagnose the issues immediately as the blood content in the stool may be insignificant to be seen from naked eye.

Blood in stool due to upper gastrointestinal causes:

• Peptic ulcer bleeding

• Malformation of the blood vessels

• Trauma to the esophageal

• Abnormalities related to esophageal

• Inflammation of lining of the abdomen scientifically referred to as Gastritis

• Intestinal flu or Gastroenteritis

• Cancer of stomach

• Stomach abnormalities

• Blood swallowed from the nostril

Blood in stool due to lower gastrointestinal tract causes:

• Fissure of anus

• Trauma due to anal intercourse

• Malformation of blood vessels

• Ischemia of bowel or obstruction of bowel

• Colon cancer

• Intestinal flu

• Existence of several diverticula in colon walls

• Constipation

• Hemorrhoid or piles

• Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease which is an inflammatory bowel condition

• Food poisoning or intestinal infection

• Tumor in the intestine or intestinal polyps

• Meckel’s diverticulum

• Prolapse of rectum

Other causes leading to blood in stool:

• Radiation therapy may also cause blood to occur in stool

• There are some medications that may cause side effects such as bloody stool

Severe causes of bloody stool:

There are also some severe causes of blood in stool which should be treated immediately as these factors may also be life threatening. These factors may include:

• Peptic ulcer that causes bleeding

• Obstruction of bowel

• Food poisoning

• Abnormalities due to ruptured esophageal

• Abdominal trauma

Complications due to blood in stool:

If the condition is not treated timely the problem may progress to a more serious condition that may cause issues such as:

• Anemia which is deficiency of red blood cell

• Extreme blood loss

• State of Shock

Treatment of blood in stool:

The treatment of blood in stool may be depended on the factor causing the issue. For example, if the doctor realizes that the condition has resulted out of side effect of medicines such as aspirin, then the doctor may suggest you to stop taking such medicines for sometime or he may also prescribed a substitute for the same drug. Hence, the treatment for bloody stool may majorly depend on the factor that is leading to the issue. The treatment may focus on alleviating the symptoms of the condition or it may also completely cure the problem from its root. The most important thing is to understand the prevalence of the issue and treat blood in stool timely.