Seeing blood in your stool can be scary, but it doesn’t always mean something serious. While it could be a sign of a less serious issue, it’s important to figure out what causes blood in the stool..
The digestive tract, which includes the oesophagus, stomach, intestines, rectum, and anus, is where the bleeding can come from. Sometimes, bleeding can happen without a person realising it, and this is called occult bleeding.
If blood is coming from the lower colon or rectum, the stool may be coated with bright red blood. The bleeding could be caused by something minor like a tear in the back passage or something more serious like inflammation in the colon.
Sometimes, the bleeding may not be easily noticed. It’s important to understand the possible reasons for bloody stools and to talk to your doctor if you notice a problem.
What Causes Blood in the Bowel Movement?
You might wonder what causes blood in the stool when you are sitting on the toilet. Passing stools with blood is also referred to as rectal bleeding. It indicates bleeding within your digestive system. Sometimes, the blood is so minimal that a faecal occult test (change to Faecal Immunohistochemistry Test (FIT) – which looks for blood buried in stool) is the only way to find it. Other times, after having a bowel movement, it could be seen in the toilet or on toilet paper.
Bleeding in stool could result from the following possible causes:
- Anal fissures
- Haemorrhoids
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Infection
- Colorectal cancer
- Diverticulitis
- Infectious colitis
- Peptic ulcer disease
Let’s check these bleeding in stool causes below in more detail.
1. Anal Fissures
An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anal canal. Similar to a haemorrhoid, it frequently occurs after straining to pass a solid stool and is painful. Haemorrhoids can be confused for anal fissures very easily. Both conditions are related to constipation and have the potential to cause bleeding. Bowel movements are painful with an anal fissure. Anal fissures mostly heal on their own if one is careful with avoiding constipation but may occasionally require medical attention.
Anal fissures are caused by:
- Straining during a bowel movement
- Thick and hard stools
- Diarrhoea
- Childbirth
- Anal sex
2. Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids, often known as piles, are bulging veins located inside the rectum or anus. They are not a serious problem but the most frequent cause of rectal bleeding and are extremely common. These veins protrude near the skin’s surface and occasionally rupture and bleed. Haemorrhoids typically produce bright red blood. Mucous leakage and itching are possible additional symptoms if one has large haemorrhoids that remain outside the back passage after bowel movements; however, some people don’t notice they have haemorrhoids until they bleed.
Haemorrhoids are caused by:
- Pregnancy or childbirth
- Straining during bowel motions
- Chronic constipation or diarrhoea
- Long periods of sitting on the toilet
- Eating a low-fibre diet
- Regularly lifting heavy items
3. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
The small and large intestine linings become chronically inflamed when you have inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Crohn’s disease primarily affects your small intestine, whereas your large intestine is primarily affected by ulcerative colitis. In addition to causing diarrhoea and persistent stomach pain, IBD can also result in bleeding when left untreated.
IBD symptoms include blood in the stool. However, other symptoms may also exist, depending on the underlying reason, including:
- Anaemia
- Diarrhoea
- Bloating
- The urges to bowel movements when not necessary
- Abdominal cramps or pain
- Weight loss
4. Infection
Infection is another potential cause of blood in the stool. Dysentery is another name for the infection that produces bloody diarrhoea. There are several bacterial and parasitic causes of dysentery. It is critical that these infections be identified early in the progression of the disease so that treatment can begin right away. Foodborne infections are usually caused by bacteria, including Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, enterohemorrhagic E. coli, and Entamoeba histolytica.
Symptoms that may accompany bloody diarrhoea include:
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Nausea
- Abdominal pain
5. Colorectal Cancer
Colorectal cancer is a serious condition. It often starts with a colon or rectal polyp. A polyp may resemble a mushroom that is protruding into the lumen of your bowel from the wall. Larger polyps may bleed, and this is more likely to be noticed if they are in the rectum. Most polyps are benign, but some can occasionally develop into cancer over many years. To rule out colon cancer, your healthcare professional might want to recommend a colonoscopy to look into any unexplained rectal bleeding.
6. Diverticulitis
Diverticulitis develops in your colon, generally at the lower end, near your rectum. It occurs when the diverticula, which are tiny pockets of the inflamed inner lining of the colon, get infected. These pockets of inflammation have the potential to weaken and increase the likelihood of blood vessel rupture. This may result in sudden bleeding in the rectal area.
The symptoms of diverticulitis can range from moderate to severe. They may develop gradually over a few days, or occur unexpectedly.
- Constipation
- Diarrhoea
- Nausea and vomiting
- Bloating
- Fever and chills
- Abdominal pain
7. Infectious Colitis
Hemorrhagic colitis, or bleeding from the colon, can be caused by some bacterial infections, such as E. coli and C. diff. Usually, this manifests as bloody diarrhoea. If you have an infection, you’ll recognise it, and it usually goes away on its own. But antibiotics might be required for some infections. Contact your healthcare physician if your illness persists for more than a few days.
Your large intestine becomes inflamed when you have colitis. In addition to discomfort, it may induce additional symptoms, such as:
- Diarrhoea
- Ulcers
- Bloating
- Vomiting
- Fever
- Blood in your stool
8. Peptic Ulcer Disease
Peptic ulcers develop in the stomach or duodenum, which is the upper part of your small intestine. They arise from the erosion of the protective lining by stomach acid, which leaves open sores behind. A stomach ulcer can bleed and generate a burning or gnawing pain. The blood in your upper gastrointestinal system may be dark, black, and tarry because it bleeds more slowly there.
A ruptured small artery within a peptic ulcer might result in bleeding and black tarry stools. Some symptoms are as follows:
- Bloating and belching
- Vomiting
- Nausea
- Reduced appetite and weight loss
Some Other Possible Bleeding in Stool Causes:
Additional possible causes for blood in the stool include the following:
- Proctitis (inflamed rectum)
- Gastritis (inflamed stomach lining)
- Constipation
- Colitis (inflamed colon)
- Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and herpes
- Angiodysplasia
- Crohn’s disease
What Causes Bright Red Blood in Stool?
Usually, bright red blood in your faeces signifies lower colon haemorrhage. It could point to a minor or serious disease. Colorectal cancer is an uncommon cause of rectal bleeding. A problem in the stomach or small intestine may be indicated if the blood is more tar-like or black. Haemorrhoids and anal fissures are the most common causes of rectal bleeding. Other causes of red blood in stool include:
- Ulcerative colitis or infectious colitis
- Crohn’s disease of the lower bowel
- Colorectal cancer
- Diverticular disease
Bonus Tip: Worried about blood in your stool? Read our blog “When to Worry About Blood in Stool” to learn the key warning signs.
Treatment for Blood in Bowel Movement
If the cause of your rectal bleeding is anything like constipation, it usually goes away on its own and doesn’t require any additional care. However, the cause of the bleeding will determine the course of treatment and medicine for more significant issues.
It could include medication for blood in stool to reduce stomach acid, antibiotics to treat H. pylori, or anti-inflammatory drugs to treat colitis. Surgery or endoscopy could be required to remove polyps or colon tissue damaged by diverticulitis, IBD, or cancer.
Simple self-care methods at home can help in less severe cases of rectal bleeding. These include the following:
- Follow home remedies for constipation relief, like eating foods with lots of fibre and drinking plenty of water.
- Take a sitz bath, which means sitting in warm water to help with fissures and haemorrhoids.
- Use an over-the-counter cream for haemorrhoids to relieve pain.
- Exercise regularly to help with bowel movements.
- In order to thoroughly clean the area and reduce irritation, use moist wipes or wet toilet paper.
- Avoid constipation and or sitting on the toilet for long periods of time.
If you have a lot of bleeding, a doctor can use different methods to stop it. They may do an endoscopy to inject chemicals, use electric current or laser treatment, or apply a band or clip to close the bleeding vessel. If the bleeding doesn’t stop, the doctor may use angiography to inject medicine into the blood vessels.
Don’t ignore this symptom and speak to a healthcare professional for a correct diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does it mean to see blood when I wipe but not in stool?
When you see blood when wiping, it may be from bleeding in the lower part of the GI tract, like the rectum and anus. The blood is usually bright red. Haemorrhoids and anal fissures are common reasons for this. If the bleeding comes from higher up in the GI tract, the blood may be darker and not easily visible, mixing in with the stool.
2. Is it serious if there’s blood in your poop?
Not always, but it’s important to talk to a doctor if you see blood when you poop. Sometimes, it’s not a big deal and doesn’t need treatment, but other times, it could be a sign of something more serious that needs to be taken care of.
3. When should you be concerned about having blood in your stool?
If you notice blood in your stool, it’s always a good idea to check in with a healthcare provider. You should specifically seek medical assistance if:
- You have no idea why it’s happening
- It’s painful
- The bleeding is heavy or frequent
- It has persisted for at least a week
- Sudden severe bleeding
- Consistent bleeding for several days
- Fainting or dizziness brought on by a decrease in blood pressure
4. What should I drink to prevent blood in the stool?
Prune juice is a common natural cure for constipation, and it can also be beneficial for blood in your stool. Prunes contain a lot of fibre, which can help add bulk to your stools and make them easier to pass.
