Chronic Or Recurrent Hemorrhoids
Chronic, or recurrent, hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and rectum that never really resolve and may be symptomatic more or less constantly.
Hemorrhoids are caused by anything that puts pressure on the anus from the inside, such as straining during bowel movements constipation pregnancy or anal intercourse.
Most susceptible are pregnant women and older people, though anyone can be affected.
Symptoms include a small amount of bleeding during or after a bowel movement, as well as discomfort, itching, or swelling around the anus.
A medical provider can suggest treatment to ease the symptoms of chronic hemorrhoids, as well as make certain of the diagnosis since other, more serious conditions can have symptoms similar to hemorrhoids.
Diagnosis is made through patient history and physical examination.
Treatment most often involves simple lifestyle changes such as drinking more water adding fiber-rich foods to the diet using fiber supplements and stool softeners not delaying, or straining, to pass a bowel movement and using topical medications. Surgical procedures to remove the hemorrhoid can be used in some cases.
Top Symptoms: rectal bleeding, rectal pain, pain when passing stools, anal itching, painless rectal bleeding
Symptoms that never occur with chronic or recurrent hemorrhoids: unintentional weight loss
When To Worry About Blood In The Stool
Because the the lining of the colon has lots of blood vessels, any injury can lead to bright red rectal bleeding.
The best action you can take now is to make an appointment with your healthcare provider. Prepare for your visit by asking yourself these questions:
- Was the blood in the stool, toilet bowl, or on the toilet paper?
- Was the blood bright red or dark red?
- Approximately how much blood did you see?
- Did you have to strain to pass the bowel movement?
- How frequently do you have bowel movements?
- Do you have other symptoms?
- When was your last colon cancer screening or colonoscopy?
- Do you have a history of polyps or a family history of polyps?
No amount of blood in the stool is normal, but some causes may be more dangerous than others. Sometimes there is blood in such small amounts that it can’t be seen with the eye. In these cases, it must be identified with a test called a fecal occult test.
What Color Is Poop With Blood In It
If you have noticed blood in your stool, you should know that this is often a sign of rectal bleeding. Blood in the stool can be dark red, bright red, or even black. The color of the blood will depend on where the bleeding came from, whether it is in the anus lower rectum, or upper intestine. Bright red blood indicates bleeding from the lower rectum, while darker blood indicates bleeding from higher up in the colon. A medical professional will evaluate your stool for blood and can also perform a colonoscopy to check for abnormalities.
A common cause of blood in the stool is food. Foods that contain red or purple pigments can make stool bloody. Foods that contain these pigments include beets, red gelatin, and black licorice. If blood is present in the stool, try to recall the last foods you ate. Also, you might be straining too hard while bowel movements. While the reason behind the red color in the stool may be unknown, you should visit your doctor for a thorough examination.
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What Does Blood In Stool Look Like
There are different ways your stool can look like if there is blood in it and most of them are visible to us.
There are times when you may notice bright red streaks of blood along with your stool in the toilet bowl. Or you can also see your stool mixed with blood which is clearly more than visible. And when you suspect that there is blood in your stool, your poop color will not be normal. Itll most probably look dark and tarry.
But in other times, there are circumstances when the blood in your stool is not visible and it can be difficult to tell times. And thats why its urgent to know when and how you can tell if there is blood in your stool.
Thats because the blood in stool is never a good sign. Even if its not life-threatening, its absolutely necessary to look into it to prevent complex conditions and diseases. There are times when the blood in your stool is not visible and thats called occult bleeding.
Many times blood in the stool can be caused by hemorrhoids and, or constipation, and I know how painful it can be from my own experiences with hemorrhoids. If you also have hemorrhoids I´d like you to have a look at this: for hemorrhoids this easy-to-use method and for constipation this flavorless nutrient that you can add to your beverage without even noticing it.
What To Expect At Your Evaluation
To evaluate blood in the stool, your doctor will begin by taking a medical history and performing a physical exam. The physical exam will include an anal exam to help determine if the bleeding is due to something clearly visible, like hemorrhoids, fissures or anal polyps or tumors, which may or may not be cancerous. Your doctor may also order blood tests to look for clotting problems, anemia or infections that could be causing the bleeding.
If no obvious source of the bleeding can be found, it may be necessary to undergo additional testing to determine the cause of the problem. These tests may include colonoscopy, upper endoscopy and occasionally other specialized imaging procedures if significant bleeding from the small intestine is a potential concern.
Based on the results of the physical exam and other diagnostic exams, your doctor will determine what is causing the bleeding and formulate an appropriate treatment plan. Diagnoses may include:
- Hemorrhoids swollen, irritated veins in or around the anus and lower rectum
- Anal fissures small cuts or tears in the anal tissue, often caused by passing large, hard stools
- Diverticulosis the formation of small pouches in the colon wall that can become infected or bleed
- Colorectal or anal cancer
Causes And Risk Factors Of Rectal Bleeding
Diverticulosis is the most common cause of rectal bleeding. It is the presence of tiny bulges, called diverticula, in the colon wall. Diverticula are common and typically do not cause problems, but can sometimes protrude through the walls of the bowels, leading to bleeding or infections.
Often called piles, hemorrhoids are swollen veins that appear at the bottom of the large intestine and outside the anus. They are caused by excessive straining, such as while making a bowel movement, sitting on the toilet too long, or, in women, pregnancy and giving birth. People who have persistent hemorrhoids are often constipated, overweight or obese, or eating a very low-fiber diet.
Hemorrhoids can be itchy, painful, and annoying, but they are rarely serious and often go away on their own. In certain cases, treatment may be needed.
Anal fissures, another cause of rectal bleeding, are tiny tears in the anus and anal canal commonly caused by straining with hard stools.
Colitis is the inflammation of the lining of the tissues of the colon. This inflammation can lead to rectal bleeding. Ischemic colitis occurs when blood flow to the colon is reduced, typically as a result of narrowed or blocked arteries. With infectious colitis, the swelling of the colon is caused by bacteria, viruses, or parasites.
Colon cancer is the most serious cause of rectal bleeding. Anal cancer, which is less common than colorectal cancer, can also cause rectal bleeding.
Can A Colonoscopy Be Used To Diagnose Prostate Cancer
No. A colonoscopy is not designed to find prostate cancer. However, some doctors may choose to perform a digital rectal examination and a prostate examination before inserting the colonoscope. Men may believe that that their prostates have been examined, but this might not be true. It is a good topic to bring up with your doctor before a colonoscopy.
Here is a final thought about colonoscopies. Many people avoid them because they find the idea embarrassing and the preparation to be unpleasant. However, people often ask themselves and their care providers how we can prevent something from happening. Here is one way: colonoscopies can stop colon cancer before it starts.
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External Vs Internal Hemorrhoid Bleeding
Both internal and external hemorrhoids may experience bleeding or similar symptoms. Understanding the type of hemorrhoids you have can help you choose a treatment plan that is right for your unique needs. Internal hemorrhoids develop within the lining of the anal canal, meaning they are not visible to the naked eye. Although internal hemorrhoids develop within the anal canal, they often prolapse and are mistaken for external hemorrhoids. On the other hand, external hemorrhoids form on the exterior of the anus, making them easier to see, feel or notice.
Conditions That May Cause Rectal Bleeding
Your poop is made up of about 75 percent water, but it also contains an amalgam of undigested bits of food, mucus, dead cells and bacteria.
What shouldnt be in your poop? Blood.
Many conditions, including cancer, that cause blood to appear in your stool may become serious if not addressed early. Some are related to auto-immune conditions, caused when an overactive immune system attacks healthy cells in the body. Others develop over time, perhaps due to diet or lifestyle, and may cause only minor pain or discomfort.
Conditions, other than cancer, that may cause blood in stool include:
Anal fissures: Small tears in the lining of the anus may be caused by constipation, difficult bowel movements or sexual activity.
Crohns disease or colitis: These auto-immune conditions may cause inflammation of the digestive system, leading to diarrhea and abdominal pain.
Diarrhea: Runny stools caused by illness, contaminated food or overindulgences may result in a sore or inflamed anus and blood streaks that appear on toilet paper after multiple bathroom trips.
Food poisoning: Tainted food may lead to infections that cause severe digestive distress.
Diverticulosis: Pouches in the lining of the colon, called diverticula, may become inflamed or infected.
Hemorrhoids: Swollen blood vessels in the rectum or on the anus may develop due to constipation or frequent sitting.
Ulcers: Open sores in the lining of the stomach or bowels are often caused by a bacterial infection.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Stubborn Hemorrhoids
What Will A Doctor Do About The Blood In My Stool
Rectal bleeding is commonly evaluated and treated by gastroenterologists. The first priority upon receiving a patient with rectal bleeding is always to correct any low blood volume or anemia, with fluids or a blood transfusion. They will then determine the site and cause of the bleeding, stop the bleeding, and prevent bleeding in the future if possible.
The doctor may order repeated blood tests to monitor changes, and will often initiate a colonoscopy or an endoscopy, depending on where they suspect the bleeding is happening .
Hemorrhoid Blood Clot Tips
Thrombosed hemorrhoids are the product of a blood clot forming inside of a external hemorrhoid.
External hemorrhoids can be painful and uncomfortable, and the formation of a blood clot inside of them certainly does not make it any better.
One of the most important things to remember is that a clot will usually go away on its own.
Dont try to pop a thrombosed hemorrhoid yourself, as you could develop an infection.
Gently soak in a warm bath or a sitz bath for twenty minutes to alleviate the pain of a blood clot.
The best method of dealing with a blood clot is to see your physician or medical care provider.
Your blood clot may need to be lanced and drained, which is best left to a medical professional. Blood clots can leave behind a skin tag, and this can irritate through friction.
A proctologist or gastroenterologist should be able to help remove the blood clot safely and efficiently.
The most common procedures for removal of bloody hemorrhoids include:
Read Also: How Do You Cure Internal Hemorrhoids
Home Remedies For Rectal Bleeding
If minimal rectal bleeding, such as blood-streaked toilet tissue, is the source of the problem, it may be due to hemorrhoids or a rectal fissure. Home therapy can be attempted. A physician should promptly evaluate and treat all other causes of rectal bleeding.
Self-care of rectal bleeding may include various rectal ointments and suppositories. People can buy these over-the-counter items without a prescription. If the person’s symptoms do not improve within one week of treatment, or he or she is older than 40 years of age, a doctor should be seen for further evaluation.
Simple home care of rectal bleeding includes the following:
- Drink 8-10 glasses of water per day.
- Bathe or shower daily to cleanse the skin around the anus.
- Increase fiber in the diet with supplements such as Metamucil, Benefiber, or foods such as prunes.
- Avoid sitting on the toilet too long.
- Apply ice packs to the affected area to decrease pain.
- Take a sitz bath. This is a warm water bath with water just deep enough to cover the hips and buttocks, and can help relieve some symptoms of itching, pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids.
- Avoid drinking alcohol, as that contributes to dehydration, which is one cause of constipation.
Blood In The Stool Is A Sign Of Bleeding From Your Intestinal Tract While Blood In The Stool Is Common It Is Never Normal
You may see bright red blood dripping into the toilet bowl or on toilet paper after wiping. Blood may also streak the stool or sometimes it can be mixed into the stool. Hemorrhoids are the most common reason for bright red rectal bleeding but the diagnosis should never be assumed without a thorough physical examination.
Also Check: What Not To Eat If You Have Hemorrhoids
I Have Blood In My Stool From Hemorrhoids
This is normal to experience if you have hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids, located inside of your rectum and beneath the lining of the mucous membrane, become inflamed and swollen.
These irritated veins disrupt the lining, and a hard stool in which you are trying to pass can graze against the linings surface.
This scrape, like any other you might accumulate on your body, produces blood, and thats why you may see some blood after a bowel movement, maybe even in your stool.
One way to prevent this is to work to soften your stools by including more fiber in your diet.
How Do Healthcare Providers Treat Hemorrhoids
You should see your healthcare provider if symptoms get worse or interfere with your daily life or sleep. Also seek help if signs dont improve after a week of at-home treatments. Your provider may treat hemorrhoids with:
- Rubber band ligation: A small rubber band placed around the base of a hemorrhoid cuts off blood supply to the vein.
- Electrocoagulation: An electric current stops blood flow to a hemorrhoid.
- Infrared coagulation: A small probe inserted into the rectum transmits heat to get rid of the hemorrhoid.
- Sclerotherapy: A chemical injected into the swollen vein destroys hemorrhoid tissue.
Surgical treatments include:
- Hemorrhoidectomy: Surgery removes large external hemorrhoids or prolapsed internal ones.
- Hemorrhoid stapling: A stapling instrument removes an internal hemorrhoid. Or it pulls a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid back inside the anus and holds it there.
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What Should I Know Or Tell My Doctor Before A Colonoscopy
Be sure to tell your doctor exactly what medicines you take on a daily basis. This includes prescription and over-the-counter products like supplements. Your doctor can tell you which medications to avoid and what changes might be necessary. It is possible that you might have to reschedule your medications if you have diabetes or need blood thinners.
You will need a driver. Most facilities will not let you check in or perform the exam at all if you do not bring a responsible driver with you.
To have a successful colonoscopy, you will have to do your part. This means following all the instructions about what to eat and drink in the days before the procedure. It also means making sure that your colon is empty so your doctor can see clearly when the scope is inside the colon. This involves what is known as bowel preparation.
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