Rectal Bleeding Symptoms, Diagnosis, Treatment and Cost

Rectal bleeding is a common condition and can be worrisome for most. Experts at Leicester Bowel Clinic can help you diagnose and treat rectal bleeding and possible underlying causes.

What is Rectal Bleeding?

Bleeding from your anus is called rectal bleeding. The bleeding may originate from:

Rectal bleeding is a common symptom that is often not reported due to embarrassment. While brief or isolated instances of bright red rectal bleeding typically do not require medical attention, any rectal bleeding that persists should be reported to your doctor to determine its cause.

What Causes Rectal Bleeding?

Common causes of rectal bleeding may be from haemorrhoids (piles) or from an anal fissure (tear).

Rectal bleeding accompanied by pain that is splitting or throbbing is usually due to anal fissures and might result from constipation or passage of hard stool.

What are the Symptoms of Rectal Bleeding?

Bleeding from the anus can look different in different cases. The colour and form of the blood usually vary depending on the underlying cause.

Commonly reported signs of rectal bleeding include:

If you are experiencing rectal bleeding along with other symptoms such as diarrhoea, nausea, blood clots, or abdominal pain, it may indicate the presence of a more serious underlying condition.

Note: Bear in mind that consuming certain foods may be responsible for the colour of the stool.

When Should You Seek Medical Help?

While single, occasional instances of rectal bleeding can often go away on their own, it is important to rule out the presence of possible underlying conditions. You should consult a specialist if you have:

Regular or frequent rectal bleeding, or blood clots in your stool
Very dark blood in the stool, or black stool
Rectal bleeding accompanied by other concerning symptoms like diarrhoea, nausea, a sense of incomplete emptying of your rectum or persistent abdominal pain

Rectal bleeding can be indicative of critical conditions (including bowel cancer in rare cases). It is easy to miss the opportunity for an early diagnosis of these conditions because people often ignore the bleeding and do not speak up about it. Take care not to let embarrassment stand in the way of seeking treatment in time. Our team is experienced and places the utmost importance on your comfort and good health.

The Colour of Rectal Bleeding

The further away the source of rectal bleeding is from the anus, the darker the blood becomes. Digestive acids react with blood (which is usually bright red), making it darker in colour (dark red or black). Thus, the colour of blood indicates the cause of rectal bleeding.

Colour	Probable Source of Bleeding	Probable Condition
Bright red	Near the anus, including the external area around the anus or the anal canal	Minor conditions like haemorrhoids (piles), anal fissures (tears), or constipation
Dark red	Further away from the anus, typically in the colon	Serious conditions like bowel polyps or cancer
Black/tarry	Even further up in the digestive system, including the stomach or duodenum	Serious conditions like peptic ulcers or cancer

Note: Foods like beets and tomatoes can turn the stool red. Dark foods like licorice and dark berries, or iron tablets can turn it black.

How is Rectal Bleeding Diagnosed?

Your doctor will discuss your symptoms in detail, review your medical history, and perform a physical exam. They may ask questions like:

01 When did the symptoms begin? Is this a regular occurrence?
02 What is the severity or intensity of your symptoms?
03 Have you noticed any lifestyle changes that ease or worsen your symptoms?
04 Have you received official diagnoses or have any family history for any other medical conditions?

Depending on your symptoms, their severity, their duration, and your medical and family history, your doctor can diagnose the underlying cause of rectal bleeding. This usually requires a rectal examination with a (proctoscope or rigid sigmoidoscope (plastic tube with a light to look inside your back passage) and may require further investigations and scans.

Getting an accurate diagnosis is crucial for receiving the right treatment. Our team will diagnose the cause of rectal bleeding and advise you on a treatment plan.

What are the Treatment Options for Rectal Bleeding?

Treatment options vary based on the root cause of rectal bleeding. Treating the underlying cause will, in turn, stop rectal bleeding.

Single instances or infrequent rectal bleeding:

for rectal bleeding to stop on its own while keeping an eye on it and making lifestyle and dietary changes for healthy bowel movements usually suffice. Keeping the stools soft and avoiding straining/constipation often helps to solve the problem.

Rectal bleeding caused by haemorrhoids (piles) or fissures (tears):

Treatment options depend on the severity and duration of symptoms. For milder or shorter-term symptoms, over-the-counter creams or medication might be helpful but there is not much research to support their use. For more, troublesome bleeding, simple procedures such as banding or surgery may be an option. We offer banding of haemorrhoids which is often possible at the initial consultation. In patients with larger and problematic haemorrhoids, we can offer surgery in the form of haemorrhoidectomy, THD or Laser Ablation. Usually, a consultation involves a short camera test (proctoscopy) to determine the cause of the bleeding (e.g., haemorrhoids) and allows for potential treatment at the time

Rectal bleeding caused by polyps, ulcers, or cancer

Why Choose the Leicester Bowel Clinic?

Book a consultation with us to get treatment for your condition.

At Leicester Bowel Clinic, we focus on bowel health and conditions, digestive issues, and cancer care. Our clinic offers minimally invasive procedures for bowel problems, ensuring effective results and patient comfort. We aim to provide personalised care for our patients and offer the latest treatments for hernias, bowel conditions and rectal disorders.

Pricing

Consultations start at

£200

Request a call back by filling out the contact form to the right.

We look forward to assisting you!

Our Locations

SPIRE HOSPITAL

THE HEALTH SUITE

NUFFIELD HOSPITAL

SPIRE HOSPITAL

Leicester Bowel Clinic at Spire Hospital

Wednesdays evenings (Mr Runau) from 6:00 pm until 9:00 pm at: Spire Leicester Hospital Gartree Road Leicester LE2 2FF
To arrange an appointment directly with the Spire Leicester Hospital, please call the booking line on 0116 2653685

*Free on-site parking is available.

THE HEALTH SUITE

NUFFIELD HOSPITAL

Frequently Asked Questions

01. When should you worry about rectal bleeding?

The colour, frequency, and quantity of bleeding indicate how serious the underlying cause of rectal bleeding is. Seek immediate medical treatment if you are experiencing persistent and incessant bleeding in large quantities or if the blood is dark, black, or clotted. It is best to get any case of rectal bleeding looked at by a doctor to rule out critical underlying conditions.

02. What is the most common cause of rectal bleeding?

Haemorrhoids, or piles, are the most common cause of rectal bleeding. Bleeding caused by haemorrhoids is bright red in colour. This is caused when veins in and around the anus become enlarged and cause the skin to tear and bleed. While haemorrhoids are not life-threatening, it is recommended that you get any rectal bleeding examined by a medical professional to get an accurate diagnosis.

03. When does one worry about rectal bleeding?

Rectal bleeding that is associated with abdominal pain, a change in bowel habits, and/or a sense of incomplete emptying of stool can sometimes be a sign of cancer. It is best to see a doctor or specialist in such cases.