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What Causes Blood In Stool?

Posted on Tue, 9 Aug 2016

Question: red oxygenated blood on stool. bowel movement for the last two days has contained blood. roughly a tablespoon.

Answered by Dr. Shuba hariprasad (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hemmorhoids, anal fissure, polyps

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for your query.
I'm Dr. Shuba Hariprasad and will be answering your query today.

Any amount of rectal bleed must be immediately investigated.

Would you please clarify a few things for me?
-do you smoke or consume alcohol?
-any other medical issues? Medications?
-any family history of cancer or autoimmune disease (ulcerative colitis, for instance )?
-do you have any other symptoms (abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, altered bowel movements, yellow tinge to your eyes or skin, weight loss, pain while passing stools, constipation /diarrhea )?

I recommend :
-a physician consult
-blood tests (complete blood count, clotting parameters, kidney and liver function tests)
-sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (based on the findings of your clinical exam)

Based on the above I would primarily like to rule out anal fissure/hemorrhoids and polyps.

Please see your physician right away. In the meantime, avoid straining while using the toilet, drink plenty of water - abt 3 litres (unless contraindicated by you doctor due to other medical issues).
Take moderate amount of fiber in natural forms (whole grains, sprouts, fresh and whole fruits and vegetables).

If your bleeding gets worse or if you feel giddy, chest discomfort, breathing difficulty, abdominal pain, please visit the ER right away.

Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T

Follow up: Dr. Shuba hariprasad (4 days later)

Sorry for the delay, your email was blocked by a corporate filter which I have now corrected. I do not smoke. I do drink on occasion. No other medical issues and I do not take any medications. Father died of pancreatic cancer, no history of autoimmune disease. No other symptoms, and no pain.

I'm confused by the brief answer of "hemmorhoids, anal fissuer, polyps" at the top contrasted by your statement, "I would primarily like to rule out anal fissure/hemmorhoids and polyps". Those statements seem to contradict. Please advise.

Answered by Dr. Shuba hariprasad (48 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Please see below

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thank you for the follow up and the clarifications.

Firstly, allow me to clear up the confusion.

In both statements, I'm trying to say the same thing. The conditions I would like to rule out based on your symptoms are hemorrhoids, anal fissure and polyps (in the colon).

All these conditions can lead to red coloured bleeding which needs a clinical exam and colonoscopy (if indicated) to diagnose.

Do you still have the bleed? We're you able to visit a doctor?
I would still urge you to take my recommendations (mentioned in the previous mail).

Your medical history does not seem significant at this point but the source of the bleed has to be investigated as soon as possible.

Hope I've answered your query. Please let me know if there is anything else I can help you with.

Wish you good health.
Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Shuba hariprasad (49 minutes later)

Thank you Dr. XXXXXXX I will arrange a visit. Bleeding continues, no pain.

Answered by Dr. Shuba hariprasad (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Please see your doctor as soon as possible

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Please let me know how your doctor's visit goes.

Hope you feel better soon.

Regards,
Dr. Shuba Hariprasad

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad