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What Does The Presence Of Blood In Stool Indicate?
Question: I am a 77 year old woman in good health. I walk for 45 minutes every day. No serious medical issues ever.
This morning I had two BM's with lots of bright red blood. I have no pain and feel normal. What' goin on?
This morning I had two BM's with lots of bright red blood. I have no pain and feel normal. What' goin on?
Brief Answer:
Detailed evaluation is needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting Healthcaremagic!
I have gone through your query and I can understand our concerns.
Blood is stool needs detailed evaluation to find out the exact cause.
Since you had bowel movement with bright red bleeding, it could be a fresh bleeding most probably due to hemorrhoids(piles). Bleeding that happens higher up in the digestive tract like peptic ulcer disease may make stool appear black and tarry.We have to rule out other condition before making a final diagnosis.
Following are the probable differentials for bright red colored rectal bleeding:-
(1)- Hemorrhoids,
Are the commonest cause for fresh bleeding per rectum. Quite common in elderly.
(2)- Diverticular disease.
A sigmoidosccopy may be needed for confirmation.
(3)-Anal fissure and fistula.
(4)- Bowel cancer (colon or rectal cancer)
Very rare in your case, because you don't have any other symptoms.
I suggest you to consult a general surgeon or a gastrosurgeon and get evaluated. You might require investigations like Sigmoidoscopy, Barium X-ray, CT scan to confirm the diagnosis.
As of now avoid excessive straining for stools. Have a diet rich in iron containing foods to prevent anemia.
Hope I have answered your query.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr.Shinas
Detailed evaluation is needed.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for trusting Healthcaremagic!
I have gone through your query and I can understand our concerns.
Blood is stool needs detailed evaluation to find out the exact cause.
Since you had bowel movement with bright red bleeding, it could be a fresh bleeding most probably due to hemorrhoids(piles). Bleeding that happens higher up in the digestive tract like peptic ulcer disease may make stool appear black and tarry.We have to rule out other condition before making a final diagnosis.
Following are the probable differentials for bright red colored rectal bleeding:-
(1)- Hemorrhoids,
Are the commonest cause for fresh bleeding per rectum. Quite common in elderly.
(2)- Diverticular disease.
A sigmoidosccopy may be needed for confirmation.
(3)-Anal fissure and fistula.
(4)- Bowel cancer (colon or rectal cancer)
Very rare in your case, because you don't have any other symptoms.
I suggest you to consult a general surgeon or a gastrosurgeon and get evaluated. You might require investigations like Sigmoidoscopy, Barium X-ray, CT scan to confirm the diagnosis.
As of now avoid excessive straining for stools. Have a diet rich in iron containing foods to prevent anemia.
Hope I have answered your query.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr.Shinas
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Nagamani Ng
Answered by
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