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What Is The Cause For Blood In The Stool?
Hi, i'm 43 yrs old and have been having irregularity problems for the past 2 weeks. My stool is also quite a bit looser than normal. I had hemeroids last week that went away and then I started noticing blood in my stool. The blood is bright red and I have only had 1 solid movement in the past 3 days. My thoughts are that the blood is from the hemeroids but colon cancer runs in my family so I wanted to make sure. I live in interior AK so it's a 2 hr flight to see a doctor. How long should it take for the blood to go away and/or how long should I wait to plan a trip in to town?
Thank you
Thank you
Mon, 5 Jun 2017
Hello and Welcome to ‘Ask A Doctor’ service.
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Considering colon cancer in your family it would be definitely recommended to do colonoscopy in short time to rule out the worst. However, most common causes are benign and include hemorrhoids, anal fissure or rectal polyps. These are primarily treated with stool softener, diet, and sitz baths.
But, if there is a rapid weight loss or anemia then urgent colonoscopy is required. Otherwise, you can wait and see if bleeding will stop in next few days. If there is no improvement then you need to see doctor again and check your red blood count.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein
I have reviewed your query and here is my advice.
Considering colon cancer in your family it would be definitely recommended to do colonoscopy in short time to rule out the worst. However, most common causes are benign and include hemorrhoids, anal fissure or rectal polyps. These are primarily treated with stool softener, diet, and sitz baths.
But, if there is a rapid weight loss or anemia then urgent colonoscopy is required. Otherwise, you can wait and see if bleeding will stop in next few days. If there is no improvement then you need to see doctor again and check your red blood count.
Hope I have answered your query. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Regards,
Dr. Ivan R. Rommstein
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