Is there blood in your stool? Don't worry, let's talk about this (Rectal Bleeding)

It's very common to feel panicked and scared when you see blood in your stool when you go to the toilet. "Oh, do I have something serious?" You may think one thing after another. In fact, blood in your stool, or as we medically call it `(Rectal Bleeding)`, can be a symptom of various medical conditions. Some of these are not very serious, but others are conditions that require immediate attention. Therefore, it is important to find out the exact cause.

How does blood in the stool look?

You can experience this situation in different ways.

• When you clean it with toilet paper, you can see fresh blood on it.
• After going to the toilet, you may notice blood in the toilet bowl . Sometimes, the water in the bowl may even appear to be red.
• You may notice that your stool is bright red, dark red, or pitch black .

Simply put, even though you may be bleeding from your anus, the blood could actually be coming from anywhere in your entire gastrointestinal tract. That means the blood coming from anywhere in the stomach, small intestine, large intestine, or rectum all comes out the same way.

Can you get an idea of ​​the disease from the color of the blood?

Yes, the color of the blood in your stool can give you some idea of ​​where the blood is coming from. To understand this more clearly, check out the chart below.

Sometimes, this bleeding is not visible to our eyes. It can only be seen under a microscope. We call this ``Occult bleeding''. This condition is diagnosed by examining a stool sample.

Is blood in the stool really serious?

Not always, but it can happen. So the best thing to do if you notice blood in your stool is to talk to a doctor about it. Sometimes something as minor as hemorrhoids may not need treatment. But sometimes it does. It can also be a sign of something more serious, like colorectal cancer, so it's important to be aware of it.

When should we be most concerned about this?

It's never a bad idea to see a doctor if you're passing blood in your stool. Especially in cases like this, you should definitely see a doctor.

• If you don't know the cause: Maybe you have a condition like constipation, and you're not surprised by a little blood. But if you suddenly start bleeding for no reason, it's something to be concerned about.
• If there is pain and bleeding: Pain is a signal that something is wrong inside the body. Also look at where the pain is. If the rectum is intact, it could be a new ulcer. If it is accompanied by pain in the lower abdomen, it could be colitis.
• If you are bleeding a lot or frequently: Excessive bleeding can lead to anemia. If you are bleeding a lot suddenly, if it continues for several days, or if you suddenly have low blood pressure and feel faint, go to a hospital's emergency room (ETU) immediately.
• If it lasts more than a week: Even if it's light and painless, if you bleed for more than a week, it means that the underlying problem won't heal on its own. So, definitely seek medical advice.

What are the main causes of blood in the stool?

There can be many reasons for this. These are some of the most common reasons.

Common causes

• Hemorrhoids: These are swollen blood vessels in the rectum or anus. They are a very common condition. They can be caused by things like straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, or heavy lifting. They are usually not serious.
• Anal fissure: A tear in the skin of the anus. This often occurs when passing hard stools. Although the symptoms are similar to hemorrhoids, the pain is a little more severe.
• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): In this, the lining of the intestines becomes inflamed over a long period of time. Crohn's disease and Ulcerative colitis are two types of this disease. They can cause stomach pain, diarrhea, and even bleeding.
• Diverticulitis: Small pouch-like areas (diverticula) in the inner wall of the large intestine develop and become infected. The blood vessels in these areas can rupture and bleed suddenly.

Other reasons

• Infections: Some bacterial infections can cause bleeding from the intestines. The bleeding is often accompanied by diarrhea.
• Sexually transmitted infections (STIs): Some sexually transmitted diseases can also cause rectal bleeding.
• Peptic ulcer disease: Sores that form in the stomach or upper part of the small intestine. These can cause black stools when they bleed.
• Colon polyps and colorectal cancer: Polyps are small growths that form in the colon. They can sometimes bleed. Some polyps can become cancerous over time. So if you have bleeding for no apparent reason, your doctor will check it out.

How does the doctor find the cause?

When you see a doctor, he or she will ask you a few questions to get an idea of ​​the cause. Then, if necessary, they may do some tests like this.

• Digital rectal exam: Examination of the rectum using a finger.
• Examination with a tube with a camera: There are various instruments for this. Tests such as ``Proctoscopy'' and ``Flexible sigmoidoscopy'' can be used to view the rectum and lower part of the colon.
• Colonoscopy: This is a procedure in which the entire colon is examined with a tube with a camera. This is very important for detecting conditions such as cancer.
• Upper endoscopy: If a stomach problem is suspected, a tube is inserted through the mouth to examine the stomach.
• Stool test: A stool sample is examined to check for infection or hidden blood.