Whether you find blood in your stool when wiping away after a bowel movement or as the result of a test your doctor ordered, finding blood in your stool might be unsettling. There are numerous potential explanations. Some are unharmful, some call for medical attention, and others even want urgent attention.
Blood in the stool can indicate a significant issue, but not necessarily so. If you think it is severe, you can consult a Gastroenterologist in Bangalore. They are highly qualified and experienced.
Furthermore, this blog will take you through all the tips to stop blood in the stool.
Cause of blood in stool –
Blood in the stool indicates that your digestive tract is bleeding someplace. Sometimes the amount of blood is so little that a fecal occult test is the only way to find it.
Other times, it may appear as bright red-colored blood on toilet paper, or you may notice it in the toilet after a bowel movement. A black and tarry stool may indicate higher-up digestive tract bleeding.
Here are some potential causes of blood in the stool:
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Hemorrhoids –
Bulging veins within the anus are hemorrhoids. They are the primary reason for anal hemorrhage. With age, they appear significantly more frequently.
The outer region of the anus and the rectum, the last section of the colon, can develop hemorrhoids.
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Anal fissure –
A little split or tear in the tissue lining the anus that resembles a paper cut or chapped lips. Fissures can be uncomfortable and are frequently brought on by passing a large, firm stool.
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Inflammatory bowel disease –
A bloody stool can be a symptom of inflammatory bowel conditions, including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
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Colitis –
Colonic inflammation. Infections and inflammatory bowel illness are a couple of the more prevalent causes.
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Peptic ulcers
The top end of the small intestine’s duodenum or stomach has an open sore on its lining. Additionally, long-term use or high doses of anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxen can bring on ulcers.
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Cancer or polyps
Polyps are benign growths that have the potential to bleed, spread, and develop into cancer. The fourth most frequent malignancy is colorectal cancer. It frequently results in bleeding that cannot be seen with the naked eye.
How to stop blood in stool?
How you will stop blood from occurring in stool depends on what the cause of the blood is.
Treatment for hemorrhoids
- To prevent dehydration, consume plenty of water.
- Increase your intake of fiber to avoid constipation.
- Use moist wipes or toilet paper to fully clean the area and soothe discomfort.
- Try to leave quickly.
- Avoid pushing yourself to go since the strain may make it worse.
- Additionally, effective treatments include hydrocortisone suppositories and over-the-counter (OTC) ointments.
- Hemorrhoids that persist may come out of the anus, especially if you strain or are frequently constipated. After a bowel movement, wash the area with warm water to hasten their shrinkage.
A physician can surgically reduce or remove big hemorrhoids. You can contact a Gastroenterologist in Bangalore if you want to opt for surgery.
Treatment for anal fissures
Anal fissures typically heal on their own or with home therapy. Follow these instructions:
- Eat more fiber-rich foods like fruits and vegetables and drink more fluids.
- If modifying your diet hasn’t helped, consider taking fiber supplements.
- Take sitz baths to relieve the anal muscles and improve blood flow.
- To reduce discomfort, apply topical analgesics such as lidocaine (Lidoderm).
- To promote bowel movement, consider OTC laxatives.
See a doctor if your symptoms don’t improve after two weeks of medication. To ensure that you get the proper care, your doctor can assist in making a more precise diagnosis.
Treatment for inflammatory bowel disease –
Most forms of IBD have no known cure, but medication can help you control the condition. Depending on the precise diagnosis, treatment may entail
- medicines that reduce inflammation to soothe the digestive system
- , drugs called immunosuppressants that prevent the immune system from attacking your body.
- Biopharmaceutical medicines to stop the inflammatory effects of specific proteins.
- Optimizing diet is essential since some patients may discover that certain foods worsen their IBD symptoms.
Your doctor can advise surgically removing impacted colonic segments when drugs fail to control severe IBD instances.
IBD often necessitates close observation and medical attention. Consulting with a gastroenterologist, eating a diet high in nutrients, and exercising frequently can all help stop the advancement of IBD or relapse.
Medical treatment to stop blood in stool –
- Regardless of the cause of the bleeding, stabilizing the patient’s health is the first step in treating considerable blood loss.
- The patient will first receive oxygen, and the patient’s heart will be watched by medical personnel. An IV will be begun to deliver fluids and prepare for a potential blood transfusion.
- The potential source of the bleeding will determine the next course of action. A general surgeon, gastroenterologist, or expert in ulcerative colitis will likely be engaged in the treatment strategy.
- Hospital admission is necessary when significant blood loss occurs, bleeding hasn’t stopped, or vital signs haven’t returned to normal.
Home remedies to stop blood in stool –
Pills and various rectal ointments can be used for the self-care of rectal bleeding. These over-the-counter medicines are available without a prescription. The patient should be examined by a doctor for further assessment if their symptoms do not go away after one week of medication or if they are older than 40.
The following are some simple home remedies to stop blood in stool:
- Every day, sip 8 to 10 glasses of water.
- To clean the skin around the anus, use a regular shower or bath.
- Reduce the need to strain during bowel motions.
- Utilize foods like prunes or supplements like Metamucil and Benefiber to raise the amount of fiber in your diet.
- Avoid spending too much time on the toilet.
- To relieve pain, apply cold packs to the affected area.
- Sit in a bath. This warm water bath, which is just deep enough to contain the hips and buttocks, can ease pain, discomfort, and itching associated with hemorrhoids.
- Alcohol consumption should be avoided because it leads to dehydration, which is one of the causes of constipation.
FAQs –
Is blood in stool serious?
Calling your doctor is necessary if you find blood in your stool. Rectal bleeding and red blood in the stool are symptoms of numerous diseases and disorders.
Can blood in stool go away by itself?
Depending on the cause and source of the blood, it may sometimes go away on its own. But you need to keep things in check and contact doctors if required.
How long does blood in the stool last?
Your intestines become infected, causing ulcers that result in bloody stools. Diarrhea with blood may persist for 2 to 5 days.
What happens when I have bloody stool, but there is no pain?
Hemorrhoids, which are basically swollen blood vessels which are there in the anus or rectum, can cause bloody stool even without discomfort. People with hemorrhoids frequently experience bright crimson, painless rectal bleeding.
Conclusion:
Blood in the stool is a common condition that frequently stems from minor diseases like hemorrhoids. But it might also be a symptom of something more severe, like colorectal cancer.
Early medical consultation will allow a doctor to clear out a more severe health issue or, if necessary, prescribe therapy. You can consult with any gastroenterologist in Bangalore.