Blood in stool

What to do if there is blood in the stool?

If you notice blood in your stool, the first important parameter is the color of the blood. If the blood is bright red, it comes from a section at the end of the intestine (colon, rectum, anal canal, or anus). If the blood is dark brown or black, this indicates bleeding in the upper digestive tract (mouth, throat, esophagus, stomach, or small intestine). If you have severe abdominal pain or pain in the anus, do not hesitate to see a doctor immediately.

What are the causes of bleeding in the digestive tract?

There are many causes of bleeding in the digestive tract. Bleeding in the upper digestive tract can be caused by gastrointestinal ulcers, mostly in the stomach or duodenum, due to infections with

Helicobacter pylori bacteria.

The use of certain medications (e.g., painkillers containing acetylsalicylic acid) can also damage the stomach lining. Heartburn caused by acid reflux can lead to injuries in the esophagus and cause bleeding, as can frequent vomiting, for example due to eating disorders like bulimia or alcohol abuse.

Less common but more dangerous are tumors in the stomach or intestinal area. Not all tumors in the intestine are malignant, but evaluation by a specialist is essential. Chronic inflammations in the intestinal tract (e.g., Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis) are also causes of bleeding in the intestine. Some may have heard of polyps, usually benign mucosal growths in the intestine that should be monitored because they could develop into malignant cancers. Diverticula, which are outpouchings of the intestinal wall, can cause bleeding if they become inflamed.

Infectious diseases such as typhoid or dysentery can cause blood in the stool. An imbalanced microbiome (bacterial colonization in the intestine) can lead to inflammation of the intestine (colitis) and bleeding.

An infarction of vessels in the intestine, mostly in older people, can lead to bleeding. One of the most common vascular diseases in the rectum, however, is hemorrhoids. Depending on the stage of development and severity of the enlarged blood vessels in the rectum and anus, bleeding can occur. Injuries in the rectum, such as anal fissures, anal fistulas, or ruptured hemorrhoids are a common cause of red blood in the stool.

As you can see, there are many possible causes for blood in the stool, but not all are immediately life-threatening. Please have a doctor examine you.

When is blood in the stool dangerous?

Especially with larger injuries in the intestine with significant blood loss, quick help is absolutely necessary to prevent bleeding out. Severe pain, poor condition, and circulatory problems are further important indicators.

In general, the doctor will look for the cause of blood in the stool. Ultrasound examinations as well as blood and stool samples can already provide some clues. Often, the cause is clearly identified from the patient's medical history and special examinations such as a visual inspection by inserting a camera (endoscopy) into the body, for example a gastroscopy, colonoscopy, enteroscopy, or rectoscopy. Depending on the severity of the disease, the doctor will recommend treatments. Most diseases are not life-threatening and can be treated well.

Blood in the stool with hemorrhoids?

Blood in the stool with hemorrhoids is very common but often a shock for those affected, as it is sometimes the first noticed symptom of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are blood vessels in the rectum that everyone naturally has. Hemorrhoids come in different forms and basically serve an important function, namely the fine sealing of the rectum (anus). Due to strong pressure in the abdominal area, straining, or hard stool, hemorrhoids can enlarge and cause discomfort, known as hemorrhoidal disease. Colloquially, this is synonymous with the word hemorrhoids. When hemorrhoids rupture, blood appears in the stool, which you will notice during your next toilet visit. If you want to learn more about the causes and triggers of hemorrhoids or hemorrhoidal disease, we recommend our blog post about hemorrhoids. CANNEFF SUP Rectal Suppositories with CBD and Hyaluronic Acid can help you with rapid treatment of hemorrhoids, pain caused by hemorrhoids, and accelerated healing of injuries in the anal canal and rectum. Also check out our Hemorrhoid Package.

Blood in the stool with anal fissures?

Tears in the anus, called anal fissures, are often accompanying symptoms of digestive problems and are usually caused by straining and hard stool. The tearing of the mucosa in the anal region then leads to bleeding that you can see in the stool. Additionally, sexual practices, insertion of objects into the rectum, or sexual violence can cause anal fissures. The degree of injury is decisive for the prognosis of healing. In most cases, injuries in the anal region heal again, and you do not need to worry too much. However, please get examined if you have pain and notice blood in the stool. Your doctor will prescribe the right treatments. We recommend supporting treatment with CANNEFF SUP Rectal Suppositories with CBD and Hyaluronic Acid for rapid healing of fissures and lesions in the anus and anal canal.

Blood in the stool summary

As already mentioned, finding blood in the stool can cause concern. However, there are many reasons for blood in the stool, and the cause ultimately determines how serious the situation is. So always have yourself examined if you see blood in the stool for the first time. In serious illnesses, good medical advice is important to treat the disease and ease your worries. If it turns out that hemorrhoids or fissures are the cause of the bleeding, we recommend taking CANNEFF SUP Rectal Suppositories with CBD and Hyaluronic Acid for rapid healing and pain relief from injuries in the anus and rectum.