The presence of visible blood in stool can be alarming. Many people associate this symptom with colorectal cancer. However, blood in the stool is not only a sign of cancer – it can also occur in many other conditions.
Main causes:
Hemorrhoids:
Bright red blood appears in small amounts, usually separate from the stool. It may be accompanied by itching, pain, and the prolapse of hemorrhoidal nodes.
Anal fissure:
Cracks in the anal canal that cause pain. The blood is bright red and not mixed with stool. Pain typically occurs during or right after defecation.
Colorectal cancer:
Blood can be dark red or black. It usually appears at the beginning of defecation. Sometimes the entire stool may be discolored by blood. Other signs include abdominal pain, mucus in the stool, weight loss, and fatigue.
Ulcerative colitis:
Blood is mixed with mucus in the stool. In advanced stages, blood may be released even without defecation. Other symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal cramping, and general weakness.
Other causes:
Stomach and duodenal ulcers, Crohn’s disease, intestinal polyps, sexually transmitted infections (such as syphilis or gonorrhea), and various intestinal infections like dysentery, salmonellosis, rotavirus, etc.
What should you do?
The right step is to consult a doctor – preferably a proctologist – who will determine the exact cause of bleeding and prescribe the appropriate treatment. According to statistics, 60–70% of rectal bleeding cases are caused by hemorrhoids, which can be effectively treated with modern medicine.
Self-diagnosing and self-medicating may worsen the condition. If you notice even a small amount of blood in your stool, do not delay your visit to the doctor.