In most cases, bright red blood indicates bleeding in the lower intestine or rectum, whereas darker blood is a sign of bleeding in the small bowel or upper area of the gut. Very dark or black-red blood is often associated with bleeding in the stomach or other parts in the digestive system. Read more: Blood in the Stool (Rectal Bleeding) in Adults Article
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What percentage of the human body is water? See AnswerRelated Disease Conditions
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Stool Color, Changes, Texture and Form
Stool color changes can very from green, red, maroon, yellow, white, or black. Causes of changes of stool color can range from foods a person eats, medication, diseases or conditions, pregnancy, cancer, or tumors. Stool can also have texture changes such as greasy or floating stools. Stool that has a uncharacteristically foul odor may be caused by infections such as giardiasis or medical conditions.
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Blood in the Stool (Rectal Bleeding, Hematochezia)
Blood in the stool or rectal bleeding (hematochezia) refers to the passage of bright red blood from the anus. Common causes include anal fissures, hemorrhoids, diverticulitis, colitis, Crohn's disease, colon and rectum polyps, and cancer. The color of the blood in the stool may provide information about the origin of the bleeding. The color of stool with blood in it may range from black, red, maroon, green yellow, gray, or white, and may be tarry, or sticky. Treatment of blood in the stool depends on the cause.
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When Should I Be Concerned About Blood in My Stool?
Blood in the stool can be a symptom of many disorders, some of which may be serious. Learn the signs of blood in the stool, what causes it, how doctors diagnose it, and what you can do to treat it. The normal color of the stool is brown, although green or greenish stool is also considered normal. The most common reasons stool turns green are eating green veggies, ingesting green food coloring and taking iron supplements.
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Is Bright Red Blood in the Stool Serious?
The presence of blood in the stool needs to be evaluated by your doctor. In most cases, the bright red blood in stools is not an immediate threat to life. The most common causes are piles, anal polyps, anal fissures and colitis (inflammation of the large bowel).
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What Can Blood in the Stool Mean?
Blood in the stool can be caused by a variety of health conditions. Find out more about what it can mean if you have blood in your stool.
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How Can I Stop Blood in My Stool?
Bloody stools should be addressed, but there are many reasons for rectal bleeding that don’t warrant an emergency visit to the doctor.
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What Is the Main Cause of Esophageal Varices?
Esophageal varices are enlarged veins in the food pipe (esophagus). This condition develops in people with liver disease.
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