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What Causes Rectal Bleeding?
Question: I am an almost 56 yo woman. I had a colonoscopy at 50 yo. A very small polyp was removed and pathology showed it was not the type to turn malignant. I also have a history of hemorrhoids that were noted during the colonoscopy and which at times, have bled. I have had a couple bouts of rectal bleeding within the last couple of months. The first time, I could see red blood on the stool and some in the water as well. Another time, there was a little red blood on the toilet paper and it looked like some in/on the stool, none that colored the water.
Is this something that sounds alarming given my history? How quickly do polyps grow and possibly turn malignant? I don't have diarrhea or constipation, I usually have a BM once a day and have no family history of colon cancer. On occasion, stool shape may be thinner but does not remain that way. How often does a person need to get a colonoscopy?
Thank you for your help.
Is this something that sounds alarming given my history? How quickly do polyps grow and possibly turn malignant? I don't have diarrhea or constipation, I usually have a BM once a day and have no family history of colon cancer. On occasion, stool shape may be thinner but does not remain that way. How often does a person need to get a colonoscopy?
Thank you for your help.
Brief Answer:
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Its is thought that it takes approximately 10 years for colon cancer to develop (this time contains polyp grow and become malignant). That is why colonoscopy should be done every 10 years in every person over the age of 50. In this age, colonoscopy should be also done if any symptoms appear, no matter when was the last colonoscopy.
As you have had hemorrhoids diagnosed before, the most probable source of bleeding are those hemorrhoids. But this is just a thought, not confirmed fact.
Here is what you should do step by step:
- consult general surgeon, have rectal examination
- get scheduled for colonoscopy
- if there will be no other sources of bleeding than hemorrhoids, you should get scheduled for surgery to remove hemorrhoids
In a meanwhile please increase fiber rich products and start probiotic intake. Do not push hard on stool. You can try sitz baths with Oak Bark twice a day for few days. Hemorrhoids suppositories can be also used for few days.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Detailed below.
Detailed Answer:
Hello!
Thank you for the query.
Its is thought that it takes approximately 10 years for colon cancer to develop (this time contains polyp grow and become malignant). That is why colonoscopy should be done every 10 years in every person over the age of 50. In this age, colonoscopy should be also done if any symptoms appear, no matter when was the last colonoscopy.
As you have had hemorrhoids diagnosed before, the most probable source of bleeding are those hemorrhoids. But this is just a thought, not confirmed fact.
Here is what you should do step by step:
- consult general surgeon, have rectal examination
- get scheduled for colonoscopy
- if there will be no other sources of bleeding than hemorrhoids, you should get scheduled for surgery to remove hemorrhoids
In a meanwhile please increase fiber rich products and start probiotic intake. Do not push hard on stool. You can try sitz baths with Oak Bark twice a day for few days. Hemorrhoids suppositories can be also used for few days.
Hope this will help. Feel free to ask further questions.
Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Thank you for the advice. Would you think that if I did see blood in/on the stool that it would also color the water? With this episode, that wasn't the case, there was no red blood in the water. Perhaps what I thought was blood in the stool itself was actually food?
Brief Answer:
.
Detailed Answer:
It is possible that it was not a blood. It is not always so easy to tell if its a stool itself or a blood with stool.
Blood does not have to color water. Please note that it depends if a blood is liquid or become clotted. Clotted blood wont dissolve in the water.
If you are not sure, the best way is to do stool test.
Regards.
.
Detailed Answer:
It is possible that it was not a blood. It is not always so easy to tell if its a stool itself or a blood with stool.
Blood does not have to color water. Please note that it depends if a blood is liquid or become clotted. Clotted blood wont dissolve in the water.
If you are not sure, the best way is to do stool test.
Regards.
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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