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Can Constipation Cause Bright Red Blood In Stool ?

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Posted on Fri, 5 Oct 2012
Question: I have been trying to have a bowel movement for about 8 hours, tried 2-3 times, and nothing came...then about 30 minutes ago I waited, pushed, and when I finished my bowel movement I noticed bright red blood on the toilet paper and bright red blood (looked diluted) in the toilet...I got concerned, but I hope it's just a hemmorhoid...can you confirm my thoughts? Thanks!
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Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (58 minutes later)
Hi XXXXXXX,

Thanks for your query.

It is very likely that the blood you noticed on the toilet paper and in the toilet are from a hemorrhoid. Hemorrhoids may be XXXXXXX or external with the external ones present as small lumps around the anus which can be painful and can bleed at times as well. XXXXXXX hemorrhoids are higher up, frequently not painful or palpable and can also bleed if irritated or swollen.

The straining with bowel movements can create or exacerbate a hemorrhoid and cause it to bleed. I suggest you try to add more hydration as well as fiber to your diet and monitor things for the time being. You may have additional bowel movements which may show small amounts of bleeding as the hemorrhoid heals. You could aid the healing with a suppository such as Anusol which is basically a topical steroid which promotes the healing and shrinkage of the hemorrhoid.

I would recommend that if in 2 weeks you still have difficulty with bowel movements and bleeding, that you see your PCP for an examination.

I hope this answer has been informative and adequate for you. I am available for your followups.

Sincerely,

Dr. Galamaga
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Robert Galamaga

Oncologist

Practicing since :2002

Answered : 2635 Questions

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Can Constipation Cause Bright Red Blood In Stool ?

Hi XXXXXXX,

Thanks for your query.

It is very likely that the blood you noticed on the toilet paper and in the toilet are from a hemorrhoid. Hemorrhoids may be XXXXXXX or external with the external ones present as small lumps around the anus which can be painful and can bleed at times as well. XXXXXXX hemorrhoids are higher up, frequently not painful or palpable and can also bleed if irritated or swollen.

The straining with bowel movements can create or exacerbate a hemorrhoid and cause it to bleed. I suggest you try to add more hydration as well as fiber to your diet and monitor things for the time being. You may have additional bowel movements which may show small amounts of bleeding as the hemorrhoid heals. You could aid the healing with a suppository such as Anusol which is basically a topical steroid which promotes the healing and shrinkage of the hemorrhoid.

I would recommend that if in 2 weeks you still have difficulty with bowel movements and bleeding, that you see your PCP for an examination.

I hope this answer has been informative and adequate for you. I am available for your followups.

Sincerely,

Dr. Galamaga