Rectal Hemorrhage – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments!

Rectal Hemorrhage – What it is, Symptoms and Treatments of this condition. Also, Rectal Bleeding is a warning sign. It is usually a minor problem and can be easily diagnosed, but not always. If you finish going to the bathroom and notice a small amount of bright red to black blood in the toilet bowl, or on toilet paper or in your stool , you are experiencing Rectal Bleeding .

Rectal Bleeding has many causes and can occur as a result of a weaker or abnormal area along your digestive tract. According to the Cleveland Clinic, hemorrhoids are the most common cause of Rectal Bleeding .

While these and other causes of Rectal Bleeding can be minor inconveniences, Rectal Bleeding can be a real concern if you are losing a lot of blood .

Symptoms of Rectal Bleeding: The most apparent symptom of Rectal Bleeding is red blood on the toilet paper orvisible blood or red stool in the toilet bowl. However, it is important that you pay attention to blood coloring .

• Bright red blood indicates bleeding somewhere in the lower gastrointestinal tract, such as the colon or rectum .
• Dark blood or burgundy blood may indicate bleeding in the small intestine or the early portion of the colon.
• Black , sticky stools can indicate bleeding in the stomach or upper part of the small intestine .

Additional symptoms associated with Rectal Bleeding include:

• Confusion
• fainting
• feel dizzy
• rectal pain

Causes of Rectal Bleeding: The causes of Rectal Bleeding can range from mild to severe. Mild causes associated with Rectal Bleeding include:

• Anal fissures or small tears in the lining of the anus
• Constipation or passing hard, dry stools
• hemorrhoids or veins in the anus or rectum that become irritated
• Polyps or small tissues grow in the lining of the rectum or colon that may bleed after passing stool

The most serious causes of Rectal Bleeding include:

• anal cancer
• colon cancer
• Inflammatory bowel disease, which includes Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis
• Intestinal infection or infections caused by bacteria, such as salmonella

Less common causes of rectal bleeding include blood clotting disorders and allergic reactions to certain types of foods.

Diagnoses of Rectal Bleeding: Your doctor will start by asking you about your symptoms. Questions may include when you first noticed bleeding , related symptoms you are experiencing, and what color your blood is .

Doctors should usually perform a visual and/or physical exam to check the affected area. This may include inserting a lubricated and gloved finger into the anus to check for abnormalities such as hemorrhoids .

Sometimes, Rectal Bleeding may require endoscopy procedures. This involves inserting a thin, flexible lighted scope into the anus. The scope has a camera on the end, which allows the doctor to see the area for any signs of bleeding . Examples of endoscopy procedures to view Rectal Bleeding include sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.

A doctor may also order a blood test , such as a complete blood count to determine if you have lost a significant amount of blood .

When Should I Seek Medical Help: Severe Rectal Bleeding can constitute a medical emergency. Go to an emergency room if you have the following additional symptoms:

• Cold and wet skin
• Confusion
• continuous rectal bleeding
• fainting
• Painful abdominal cramps
• fast breathing
• severe anal pain
• severe nausea

Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have less severe Rectal Bleeding , such as small drops of blood from the rectum. However, since a small amount of rectal bleeding can quickly turn into a large amount, it is important to seek treatment in the early stages.

Rectal Bleeding Treatments: Treatments for Rectal Bleeding depend on the cause and severity.

You can relieve the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids by taking a hot shower. Applying over-the-counter or prescription creams can also reduce irritation. Your doctor may perform more invasive treatments if your hemorrhoid pain is severe or the  hemorrhoids are very large.

Like hemorrhoids , anal fissures can resolve on their own. Ulcers and infections may require antibiotic therapy to reduce infection-causing bacteria. Colon cancers may require more invasive, long-term treatments such as surgery, chemotherapy and radiation to remove the cancer and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Home treatments to prevent constipation can reduce the risk of rectal bleeding . These include:

• Eating fiber-rich foods (unless your doctor tells you to)
• Exercising regularly to prevent constipation
• Keep the rectal area clean
• stay hydrated