Logo
Thumbnail

Pictures of Blood in Bowel Movement: When to Worry

Introduction

Seeing blood in your stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl can be a frightening experience. It is a common concern that sends many people to their doctor, and for good reason. The presence of blood is a signal from your body that something is amiss within your digestive tract. It is crucial to understand that blood in a bowel movement is a symptom, not a diagnosis in itself. Its appearance can vary significantly, offering clues about its origin, and it can be caused by a wide range of conditions, from the minor and easily treatable to the more serious and complex.

While many causes are benign, the possibility of a more significant underlying issue means this symptom should never be ignored. The single most important takeaway is that self-diagnosis is unreliable and potentially dangerous. A thorough evaluation by a healthcare professional is the only way to determine the precise cause, receive appropriate treatment, and gain peace of mind.

What Does Blood in Stool Look Like?

The color and consistency of blood in your stool can provide your doctor with important initial clues about where the bleeding might be originating within your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The journey blood takes through your digestive system alters its appearance, making your observations a valuable part of the diagnostic process.

Bright Red Blood When you see bright red blood—a condition medically known as hematochezia—it typically signifies that the bleeding is occurring in the lower part of your digestive tract, closer to the exit. This includes the colon, rectum, or anus. Because this blood is fresh, it has not had time to be broken down by digestive enzymes.

  • Where you might see it: You may notice streaks of blood on the stool itself, spots of blood on the toilet paper after wiping, or red-tinged water in the toilet bowl.
  • Location matters: Blood that is seen only on the toilet paper is highly suggestive of a source very near the anus, such as hemorrhoids or an anal fissure. In contrast, blood that is mixed in with the stool often points to a source higher up in the colon.

Darker Red or Maroon Blood If the blood appears dark red or maroon and is mixed with the stool, the bleeding is likely happening higher up in the digestive system, such as in the upper part of the colon or the small intestine. The darker color indicates the blood has been in the GI tract for a longer period, allowing it to mix with stool and begin to degrade.

Very Dark or Black, Tarry Stool (Melena) Stool that is black, sticky, and has a tar-like consistency is a classic sign of bleeding from the upper GI tract, which includes the esophagus, stomach, or the first part of the small intestine (the duodenum).

  • What it is: This specific presentation is called melena. The black color and foul smell are the result of blood being exposed to stomach acid and digestive enzymes as it travels through the intestines.
  • A critical exception: While the color of blood is a useful guide, it is not an infallible rule. A very rapid, high-volume bleed from an upper GI source, such as a severe stomach ulcer, can push blood through the digestive system so quickly that it doesn’t have time to turn black. In these life-threatening situations, the stool may appear bright red or maroon. This underscores why any significant amount of rectal bleeding, regardless of color, requires immediate medical evaluation.
Image

Is it really blood? Before assuming the color change is from blood, consider your recent diet and medications. Certain substances can mimic the appearance of bloody stool.

  • Red Stool Mimics: Beets, cranberries, tomato soup, and foods with red dye can turn stool red.
  • Black Stool Mimics: Iron supplements, bismuth subsalicylate (the active ingredient in Pepto-Bismol), and even black licorice or blueberries can cause black stools. Even if you suspect a food or medication is the cause, it is always safest to have it confirmed by a healthcare provider.

Common Causes of Blood in Bowel Movements

While seeing blood is alarming, it is most often caused by conditions that are relatively minor and treatable. These common issues typically cause bright red bleeding from the lower GI tract.

Hemorrhoids (Piles) Hemorrhoids are the single most common cause of rectal bleeding.

  • Description: They are essentially swollen veins, similar to varicose veins, that can develop inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids) or under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids).
  • Symptoms: They typically cause painless, bright red bleeding that you might see on toilet paper or coating the stool. Other symptoms can include anal itching and discomfort or pain, especially when sitting.
  • Why it happens: Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure on the veins in the lower rectum. Common culprits include straining during bowel movements, chronic constipation, sitting on the toilet for extended periods, heavy lifting, and pregnancy.

Anal Fissures Another frequent cause of pain and bleeding is an anal fissure.

  • Description: This is a small tear or crack in the delicate lining of the anus.
  • Symptoms: Fissures are known for causing sharp, tearing, or burning pain during a bowel movement, which can last for hours afterward. The bleeding is typically bright red and usually a small amount.
  • Why it happens: The most common cause is trauma from passing a large or particularly hard stool, which stretches the anal lining beyond its capacity.

More Serious Conditions to Be Aware Of

While less common, some causes of blood in the stool are more serious and require prompt medical attention and management. It's important to be aware of these conditions, not to cause alarm, but to understand why a professional diagnosis is so critical.

Image

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) IBD is an umbrella term for two main conditions characterized by chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. It is an autoimmune disorder, meaning the body's own immune system mistakenly attacks the digestive tract.

  • Types:
    • Ulcerative Colitis: Inflammation and sores (ulcers) are confined to the large intestine (colon and rectum). The inflammation is continuous, starting in the rectum and spreading upward.
    • Crohn's Disease: Inflammation can affect any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus, and often penetrates the deeper layers of the bowel wall. It typically appears in patches, with healthy tissue interspersed between inflamed areas.
  • Symptoms: Both conditions can cause persistent diarrhea (often bloody), abdominal pain, cramping, unintended weight loss, and fatigue.

Ulcers (Peptic Ulcer Disease) Peptic ulcers are open sores that develop on the inner lining of the stomach or the upper portion of the small intestine.

  • Severity: These sores can erode into blood vessels and cause significant internal bleeding. This often presents as melena (black, tarry stools), but a rapidly bleeding ulcer can cause red or maroon stool.
  • Causes: The two main culprits are infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) and the long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and aspirin. These agents disrupt the stomach's natural defenses against acid, allowing the lining to be damaged.

Diverticular Disease This condition involves the formation of small, bulging pouches (diverticula) in the wall of the colon.

  • Diverticulosis vs. Diverticulitis: The presence of these pouches is called diverticulosis and is very common, especially in older adults, often causing no symptoms. When these pouches become inflamed or infected, the condition is called diverticulitis, which causes severe abdominal pain and fever.
  • Bleeding: The blood vessels within these pouches can weaken and burst, leading to diverticular bleeding. This can cause a sudden, large amount of painless maroon or bright red blood in the stool and is a common cause of significant lower GI bleeding.

Gastrointestinal Cancers Although most cases of blood in the stool are not caused by cancer, it remains a critical possibility that must be ruled out.

  • Types: Cancers of the colon, rectum, stomach, or esophagus can all cause bleeding. Colorectal cancer, in particular, often begins as small, noncancerous growths called polyps, which can grow and bleed over time.
  • Importance: The potential for cancer is the primary reason why investigating blood in the stool is so important. When detected early, treatment is far more likely to be successful. This is especially true as rates of colorectal cancer are unfortunately rising in younger adults. It is dangerous to assume that bleeding is from a known, benign cause like hemorrhoids without a proper evaluation, as a new, more serious condition could be developing simultaneously.

When to Seek Medical Attention

The guiding principle is simple: any time you see blood in your stool, it warrants a conversation with a healthcare provider. However, the urgency can vary depending on the amount of blood and any accompanying symptoms.

Image

Schedule a Doctor's Appointment if:

  • You notice any new instance of blood, even a small amount on toilet paper.
  • The bleeding lasts for more than a day or two.
  • The bleeding is recurrent, even if you think it's from a known issue like hemorrhoids.

Seek Urgent Evaluation (call your doctor for a same-day visit or go to an urgent care center) if you experience:

  • New onset of black, tarry stools (melena).
  • Bloody diarrhea.
  • Persistent abdominal pain or cramping.
  • A persistent change in your bowel habits, such as new-onset constipation or diarrhea that lasts for several weeks.
  • Unexplained weight loss or constant fatigue, which could be a sign of anemia from chronic blood loss.

A single symptom might have a wide range of causes, but a constellation of symptoms is a much stronger signal that something significant is wrong. For example, seeing blood in your stool accompanied by unexplained weight loss and a change in bowel habits is a cluster of alarm symptoms that requires prompt and thorough investigation.

Go to the Emergency Room or Call 911 Immediately if you have:

  • Heavy, continuous, or gushing rectal bleeding.
  • Passing large blood clots.
  • Severe abdominal pain.
  • Signs of significant blood loss (shock), including:
    • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting
    • Rapid, shallow breathing
    • Confusion or blurred vision
    • Cold, clammy skin
  • Vomiting blood or a substance that looks like coffee grounds.

Conclusion

Finding blood in your bowel movements is understandably unsettling. While the cause is often a minor issue like hemorrhoids, it can also be a sign of a serious condition like an ulcer, inflammatory bowel disease, or cancer. The only way to know for sure is to seek a professional medical diagnosis, which is essential for your health and peace of mind.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is it always serious if I see blood in my stool?

A: Not necessarily. The most common causes, like hemorrhoids and anal fissures, are not life-threatening. However, because blood can signal a serious underlying condition, it should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to get an accurate diagnosis.

Q: Can certain foods or medications cause my stool to look bloody?

A: Yes. Foods like beets can make stool appear reddish, while iron supplements and medications containing bismuth (like Pepto-Bismol) can turn it black. Even so, you should consult a doctor to confirm the cause and rule out actual bleeding.

Q: What is a "fecal occult blood test"?

A: This is a non-invasive lab test that checks for hidden (occult) blood in your stool that you can't see. It is a common screening tool for colorectal cancer, as early-stage cancers or polyps may bleed in microscopic amounts that this test can detect.

Works Cited

See all recipes
Get Ingredients

Cook It. Love It. Share It.

Subscribe to receive weekly news and the latest recipes

Logo
Leftover RecipesEnvironmental ConservationHome DecorCooking TechniquesCooking Basics
1 345 657 876
hola@lullatips.com
Lullatips 2024. All rights reserved