It is not a good sight to see blood in your stool. You might be concerned that it is an indication of a serious health problem. The thing is that there are a lot of things that may result in rectal bleeding and not all of them are dangerous. Here, in this friendly guide we are going to define the causes of blood in stool without pain, when blood in stool is something to be concerned about, what blood in your stool means about your health and how to diagnose rectal bleeding. We will also give you tips on what to do when you need to call your doctor as Dr. Bharat Pothuri of Gastrodoxs in Houston will tell you.
The rectal bleeding is the blood that is given out by your lower digestive tract. You may find bright red spots on toilet paper, or darker tar-like feces. Dr. Bharat Pothuri, a gastroenterologist with offices in Houston, Gastrodoxs, says that any bit of blood in your stool warrants concern. It is the way your body is trying to create alert.
The color of blood provides a preliminary indication of the source of the blood:
The bleeding may be the cause of numerous sources. Here are the most frequent:
When you see blood and you do not feel any pain many people worry. Dr. Pothuri says that painless rectal bleeding requires investigation. Here are common reasons:
Lesson learned: painLESS bleeding is not painless. Always get checked.
Your stool tells a story. seeing blood, take it as a crucial feedback:
According to the Dr. Pothuri, Your digestive tract is continually lining up. Bleeding indicates that renewal is disordered or excessive.
The majority of the reasons of bleeding are mild to severe. You are to take immediate treatment in case you have any of these:
In case you live in Houston and notice these signs, you can use Gastrodoxs because it provides same-day appointments. Don't delay save your life with early diagnosis.
The first thing you will get is a detailed history and examination by your doctor. Then, tests may include:
| Test | What It Is | Pros | Cons |
| Digital Rectal Exam | Physician palpates rectum with gloves finger | No prep ready, quick examination | Limited to the rectum |
| Fecal Occult Blood Test | Examines stool that has occult blood hidden in it | Noninvasive home test sample | References can be missed by intermittent bleeding |
| Colonoscopy | Camera looks up all colon | Gold standard, may delete polyps | Bowel preparation, sedation may be needed/td> |
| Flexible Sigmoidoscopy | Camera is used to look at lower colon | Less prep, no sedation required fully | Only to rectum and sigmoid colon |
| Anoscopy/Proctoscopy | Short scope of rectum/anus | No sedation, quick | Does not view high up the colon |
The treatment varies according to the cause. General approaches include:
The sooner the better, and that is what Dr. Pothuri says. Wait not till there is pain or much bleeding.
Unhealthy behavior can be mitigated by healthy practices:
Gastrodoxs also provides age-specific plans to each age in case you require a colon cancer screening in Houston.
It may be frightening to find blood in the stool. However, most of the causes can be treated. Learn to listen to your body, consult early enough, and ensure you find a reliable gastroenterologist such as Dr. Bharat Pothuri at Gastrodoxs in Houston to have the answers and treatment you want. Take it into consideration: the sooner you are diagnosed, the better you are.
Dr. Bharat Pothuri is a Board-Certified Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist. With extensive experience in digestive health, he specializes in advanced endoscopic procedures, chronic GI disorder management, and preventive care. Dr. Pothuri is dedicated to providing expert, patient-focused insights to help improve gut health and overall well-being.
Yes. Exerting such pressure may cause haemorrhoids or bleeding anal fissures.
Small portion may be occasional like that of hemorrhoids or fissures. Nevertheless, it is always a good idea to have a doctor check it out.
Tar-like or dark-colored stool (melena) indicates bleeding as higher up in the GI tract, e.g. stomach or small intestine.
Call your doctor within 24 hours in case it is new or persistent bleeding. In case of excessive bleeding, dizziness, or fainting, proceed to the emergency room.
The stress does not directly cause any bleeding. Nonetheless, it is capable of exacerbating such conditions as IBS that may cause irritation and bleeding.
It identifies occult blood in feces but fails to identify intermittent hemorrhaging. Diagnosis is more conclusive in colonoscopy.
Not always. Less invasive tests might be prescribed by your doctor first, depending upon your symptoms and medical history.
Benign causes such as hemorrhoids can be prevented and treated with a high-fiber diet and proper hydration and some IBD symptoms may be alleviated.
Yes. Temporary relief may be achieved with the help of warm sitz baths, ice packs, stool softeners, and over-the-counter creams.
The websites of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) can be considered trusted sources.
