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What Causes Blood In Stool?
Question: My 28 year old daughter has stool in her stool. Who should she see?
Brief Answer:
should see her GP first
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
She can see her GP first, this would determine if she needs referral to a specialist.
Blood in the stool can be due to different possible causes: (1) trauma from straining
(2)hemorrhoids
(3)anal fissure
(4)infection eg diarrhea
(5)diverticulitis-inflammation/infection of the diverticula (out pockets of the colon) of the colon
(6)inflammatory bowel disease- crohns or ulcerative colitis
(7)side effect of medication eg warfarin or other anti clotting medication
(8)polyps- benign (non cancerous growths)
(9)cancer- this would be very unlikely at her age
Her GP can take a history of all symptoms, examine the abdomen and take a look at the anus as well.
Further testing may or may not be needed, it would depend on if the cause is clear eg visible hemorrhoids or an anal fissure or history related to diarrhea.
AT her age, these are the more likely causes though others may need to be ruled out.
Testing may include: (1) a complete blood count and ESR (this is a non specific inflammatory marker, goes up with any inflammation of the body-infection, allergies, cancer, significant trauma)
(2)imaging such as barium study or scope
Treatment would depend on the cause found.
should see her GP first
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
She can see her GP first, this would determine if she needs referral to a specialist.
Blood in the stool can be due to different possible causes: (1) trauma from straining
(2)hemorrhoids
(3)anal fissure
(4)infection eg diarrhea
(5)diverticulitis-inflammation/infection of the diverticula (out pockets of the colon) of the colon
(6)inflammatory bowel disease- crohns or ulcerative colitis
(7)side effect of medication eg warfarin or other anti clotting medication
(8)polyps- benign (non cancerous growths)
(9)cancer- this would be very unlikely at her age
Her GP can take a history of all symptoms, examine the abdomen and take a look at the anus as well.
Further testing may or may not be needed, it would depend on if the cause is clear eg visible hemorrhoids or an anal fissure or history related to diarrhea.
AT her age, these are the more likely causes though others may need to be ruled out.
Testing may include: (1) a complete blood count and ESR (this is a non specific inflammatory marker, goes up with any inflammation of the body-infection, allergies, cancer, significant trauma)
(2)imaging such as barium study or scope
Treatment would depend on the cause found.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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