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What Causes Blood In Stool?

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Posted on Thu, 29 Jan 2015
Question: About a month ago I pooped blood everytime I went to the bathroom for about 6 or 7 days in a row, then it went away and I didn't think anything of it, now a ciiple days agi and tonight it happened again. Like the water in the bowl is all red and the toilet paper looks like I just soaked blood off a cut. ShouldI go to an emergency room?
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Answered by Dr. Michelle Gibson James (37 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
needs assessment as soon as you can

Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic

Yes, it would be best to see someone for an assessment as soon as you can.

Blood in the stool may be related to different causes such as:
(1) infection- but this is not likely to recur and would be associated with diarrhea and/or vomiting

(2)inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and crohns)- may be other symptoms as well though bleeding can occur on own
Other symptoms are abdominal pain, change in bowel habits,weight loss

(3)diverticulitis- some persons may have diverticula in the bowel. These are small outpouches or pockets in the bowel .
They may become inflamed (divertiulitis) and this is associated with bleeding

(4)cancer of the bowel- this would need to be ruled out. If you have colonoscopy or imaging study (such as barium enema) within the past few years, then it decreases the chance

(5)hemorrhoids- a common cause of blood in the stool

(6)anal fissure- tear in the area of the anus. Normally associated with significant pain

You need to be see to determine which of these is the cause. This would involve careful history of the bleeding and any associated symptoms, examination of the abdomen, pr examination.
Imaging may also be needed

I hope this helps, wish you the best
Feel free to ask any other questions
Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Michelle Gibson James

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 16808 Questions

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What Causes Blood In Stool?

Brief Answer: needs assessment as soon as you can Detailed Answer: HI, thanks for using healthcare magic Yes, it would be best to see someone for an assessment as soon as you can. Blood in the stool may be related to different causes such as: (1) infection- but this is not likely to recur and would be associated with diarrhea and/or vomiting (2)inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and crohns)- may be other symptoms as well though bleeding can occur on own Other symptoms are abdominal pain, change in bowel habits,weight loss (3)diverticulitis- some persons may have diverticula in the bowel. These are small outpouches or pockets in the bowel . They may become inflamed (divertiulitis) and this is associated with bleeding (4)cancer of the bowel- this would need to be ruled out. If you have colonoscopy or imaging study (such as barium enema) within the past few years, then it decreases the chance (5)hemorrhoids- a common cause of blood in the stool (6)anal fissure- tear in the area of the anus. Normally associated with significant pain You need to be see to determine which of these is the cause. This would involve careful history of the bleeding and any associated symptoms, examination of the abdomen, pr examination. Imaging may also be needed I hope this helps, wish you the best Feel free to ask any other questions