Top 10 causes of blood in stool!

The main causes of blood in stool that should not be ignored as this blood means there is bleeding somewhere in the digestive tract. Sometimes the amount of blood is so small that it can only be detected by a fecal occult test (which checks for occult blood in the stool ).

At other times, it may be visible on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement as bright red blood. Bleeding that occurs higher up in the digestive tract can cause stool to appear black and to accumulate.

Main causes of blood in stool:

1. Diverticular disease:

Diverticula are small pouches that protrude from the wall of the colon. Diverticula usually don’t cause problems, but sometimes they can bleed or become infected.

2. Anal fissure:

A small cut or tear in the tissue lining the anus , similar to the cracks that occur in chapped lips or a paper cut. Anal fissures are usually caused by passing large, hard stools and can be painful.

3. Colitis:

Among the most common causes are infections or inflammatory bowel disease.

4. Angiodisplasia:

A condition in which fragile and abnormal blood vessels lead to bleeding.

5. Peptic ulcers:

An open sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, the upper end of the small intestine. Many peptic ulcers are caused by infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) . Long-term use or high doses of anti-inflammatory drugs, such as aspirin, ibuprofen and naproxen, can also cause ulcers.

6. Polyps or cancer:

Polyps are benign tumors that can grow, bleed, and become cancerous. Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer. It usually causes bleeding that is not noticeable to the naked eye.

7. Esophageal problems:

Esophageal varices or tears in the esophagus can lead to severe blood loss.

Other causes of blood in stool:

• Gastritis _
• Bleeding stomach ulcers.
• Swollen and burst veins in the esophagus and stomach.
• Abnormality in the blood vessels of the stomach.
• Abnormal blood supply somewhere in the intestine.
• Injury due to trauma or blow.
• Presence of a foreign body generating wounds.
• Fissure in the esophagus caused by one or more violent episodes of vomiting.
• Trauma by blow or foreign body.
• Bowel ischemia.
• Severe infection of the intestines.
• Colon cancer .
• Diverticulosis or vesicles in the colon .

Treatments for blood in stool:

Further studies to determine the exact cause of the problem causing bloody stools are performed when significant changes occur in the color, texture, or odor of stool. The following are some of the more conventional tests to find the source of blood in the stool :

• Colonoscopy.
• Double balloon stereoscopy.
• Stool examination.
• Infection testing.
• High Endoscopy
• capsule endoscopy
• Angiography
• Barium Studies.
• Bleeding exam.
• Volumetric blood count.

Treatment for blood in the stool will be indicated according to the cause of the problem.