Blood in Stool

About the Symptom

Bloody stools describes a condition where blood can be seen in the stool. The blood may be fresh, bright red or clotted. It can be as minor as only visible on the paper all the way to mixed in with the stool or freely dripping from the anus.

When to See a Doctor

Seek professional care if you experience any of the following symptoms

• Blood in stool

Possible Causes

Generally, Blood in stool can be related to:

• Ulcerative Colitis

  An inflammatory condition of the large intestine that damages the gut wall. The exact cause is not well known.

• Anal Varices

  Also called anorectal or rectal varices. These are the dilation of submucosal veins, which occur as a complication of portal hypertension. This condition is caused by elevated pressure in the portal venous system, and the portal vein is a major vein leading to the liver. Acute bleeding is rare but can be massive and life-threatening.

• Anal Cancer

  This is a malignant tumor (cancer) of the anus. The anus is where the stool leaves the body.

• Anal Fissure
• Drug-Induced Colitis
• Meckel's Diverticulosis

Related Serious Diseases

Sometimes, Blood in stool may be related to these serious diseases:

• Intussusception

  A condition where a segment of the intestines "telescopes" into another. This can cause the intestine walls to die, so prompt medical attention is needed. It is associated with certain genetic conditions and growths, but often no clear cause is found.

• Amebic Dysentery
• Ischemic Enteritis
• Diverticular Bleeding

Doctor's Diagnostic Questions

Your doctor may ask these questions to check for this symptom:

• Have you noticed any blood in your stool?
• When did you first notice the blood in your stool?
• How is your blood in stool now?
• How often have you noticed blood in your stool?
• Regarding your symptom of blood in stool, which of the following best describes it?

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