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What Causes Loose, Bloody Stools After A Hard Fall?

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Posted on Tue, 26 May 2015
Question: Last Friday (May 1st), I turned my ankle and took a hard fall, hitting the the hard-packed ground in the barnyard 2 or 3 times (I sort of bounced around but landed mostly on my back). The soreness from the bruising is getting better, but I had loose, bloody stools over the next couple of days. I "treated" the diarrhea by having water, tea and white bread toast and it stopped. During the weekend, I put in a call in to my internist. By the time I spoke to the nurse on Monday, however, I told her the diarrhea had subsided. Today, however, I have a full/bloated/distended belly with some discomfort. I had a small bloody bowel movement this evening and when I wiped my butt, there was something that looked like a large clot of blood. It was so disgusting i dropped it in the toilet and flushed. Now I am wondering if something more serious may have happened to me during my fall. What do you say to this??
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
It needs investigation

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

having bloody stool the way you described them requires investigation for the cause. It could be gastrointestinal bleeding which seems irrelevant to your fall. it could also be gastroenteritis, particularly if you also had other symptoms like fever, vomiting or abdominal discomfort/pain. Finally a more benign cause like hemorrhoids is also possible.

Did you use any painkillers? Painkillers may cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Did you have any abdominal symptoms before the fall?

In any case you need an urgent clinical examination and laboratory testing with complete blood count, urea, creatinine, electrolytes among other tests and if the findings suggest gastrointestinal bleeding then you need endoscopic evaluation of your gastrointestinal system. Bleeding of unknown origin particularly when it seems to be ongoing needs urgent evaluation because sometimes serious conditions may cause it.

I hope I've helped!
You can contact me again, if you'd like more information or clarifications.

Kind 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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Answered by
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Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3809 Questions

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What Causes Loose, Bloody Stools After A Hard Fall?

Brief Answer: It needs investigation Detailed Answer: Hello, having bloody stool the way you described them requires investigation for the cause. It could be gastrointestinal bleeding which seems irrelevant to your fall. it could also be gastroenteritis, particularly if you also had other symptoms like fever, vomiting or abdominal discomfort/pain. Finally a more benign cause like hemorrhoids is also possible. Did you use any painkillers? Painkillers may cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Did you have any abdominal symptoms before the fall? In any case you need an urgent clinical examination and laboratory testing with complete blood count, urea, creatinine, electrolytes among other tests and if the findings suggest gastrointestinal bleeding then you need endoscopic evaluation of your gastrointestinal system. Bleeding of unknown origin particularly when it seems to be ongoing needs urgent evaluation because sometimes serious conditions may cause it. I hope I've helped! You can contact me again, if you'd like more information or clarifications. Kind Regards!