Various Causes and Prevention of Rectal Bleeding Dallas, Tx.
Rectal bleeding means bleeding from your back passage when you go to the toilet and pass faeces
Rectal bleeding can refer to any blood that passes from your anus, although rectal bleeding is usually assumed to refer to bleeding from your lower colon or rectum. Your rectum makes up the lower portion of your large intestine.
Rectal bleeding may show up as blood in your stool, on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. Blood that results from rectal bleeding is usually bright red in color, but occasionally can be dark maroon.
It is common to see blood on the toilet paper, around the faeces, or in the toilet after a bowel motion. This is known as rectal bleeding and it can occur for many reasons.
Most of the time rectal bleeding is not a sign of a serious illness, but it is important to see your doctor.
Various Causes of Rectal Bleeding
There are lots of possible causes for rectal bleeding. Some of the most common causes include:
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are a common and treatable cause of rectal bleeding. It’s normal for everyone to have hemorrhoids inside and outside of the anus. But there are several reasons they may become irritated.
If you notice blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet, the factors that may point to hemorrhoids include:
· Constipation.
· Diarrhea.
· Low-fiber diet.
· Heavy lifting.
· Hard stools.
Hemorrhoids are inflamed anal blood vessels, and they are extremely common. They can develop on the outside or inside of the anus, appearing as small bumps that occasionally bleed during bowel movements or when wiping.
Hemorrhoids, which are also referred to as piles, can impact anyone of any age but are associated with a few risk factors, including:
· pregnancy
· chronic constipation and straining
· chronic diarrhea
· straining during bowel movements or sitting on the toilet for too long
· obesity
· low fiber or unbalanced diet
· aging
Hemorrhoids usually respond well to over-the-counter creams and suppositories that contain hydrocortisone. Taking warm baths frequently, eating a high-fiber diet, and using stool softeners can also help reduce the discomfort of hemorrhoids.
Fistulas
A fistula occurs when an abnormal opening or pocket develops between two neighboring organs. Fistulas that appear between the anus and rectum, or anus and skin, can cause a discharge of white fluid and blood.
If there are tears in the tissue of the anus, then you may experience both rectal bleeding and pain during and after a bowel movement. Typical causes of anal fissures include:
· Chronic constipation.
· Diarrhea.
· Straining.
· Anal intercourse.
Fistulas are sometimes treated with antibiotics, but they may require surgery if they progress.
Fissures
Fissures occur when tissues lining the anus, colon, or rectum are torn, resulting in pain and rectal bleeding.
Warm baths, a high-fiber diet, and stool softeners can all help reduce symptoms of fissures. In severe cases, fissures may require prescription creams or surgery.
Proctitis or colitis
Proctitis occurs when the tissues that make up the rectum become inflamed, often resulting in pain and bleeding.
Colitis occurs when the tissues lining the colon become inflamed. A type of colitis called ulcerative colitis can also cause ulcers, or open, progressive sores, that are prone to bleeding.
Treatments for proctitis and colitis vary, depending on the causes and range from antibiotics to surgery.
Gastroenteritis
Bacterial infections can cause inflammation of the colon and stomach, causing diarrhea that may contain mucus and spots of blood. Viral gastroenteritis does not typically cause bloody diarrhea.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Unprotected sexual intercourse that involves the anal area can spread a wide range of viral and bacterial diseases. These can cause inflammation of the anus and rectum. Inflammation, if it occurs, increases the likelihood of bleeding.
Treatment for STIs usually involves either an antibiotic, antiviral, or antifungal medication, depending if the cause is bacterial, viral, or fungal.
Colon or rectal cancer
Cancer that impacts the colon or rectum can cause irritation, inflammation, and bleeding. As many as 48 percent of people with colorectal cancer have experienced rectal bleeding.
Colon cancer is a very common form of cancer and tends to progress slowly, so it is often treatable if caught early.
Rectal cancer, while far rarer than colon cancer, is also usually curable if detected and treated in time.
Some cases of colon and rectal cancer develop from initially benign polyps. All cases of gastrointestinal cancer require treatment, which usually involves a combination of chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and surgery.
Prevention of Rectal Bleeding
If you have rectal bleeding, there are a number of things you can do to help manage the condition.
If you have constipation causing haemorrhoids, you can help ease it by:
· drinking plenty of water, unless you have an existing medical condition that means this is not possible
· eating fibre-rich foods, such as bran cereals, fruit, vegetables and wholegrain bread
· avoiding processed foods, such as white bread and cheese
· keeping active and mobile to reduce the risk of getting constipated
· going to the toilet when you have the urge
If your doctor has confirmed that you have an anal fissure, you can ease the discomfort by:
very carefully wiping the anal area after going to the toilet and using soft, moist toilet paper or baby wipes, rather than dry toilet paper
pat the area around your bottom rather than rubbing it
having warm baths a few times a day
seeing your pharmacist for topical creams to reduce the pain
try not to strain when passing a stool
Do not apply creams and lotions to the area that were not prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist because this can cause more trauma.
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