{"id":2232,"date":"2018-07-18T09:30:32","date_gmt":"2018-07-18T09:30:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/besthealth.guide\/?p=2232"},"modified":"2021-10-06T03:06:39","modified_gmt":"2021-10-06T03:06:39","slug":"9-causes-why-there-could-be-blood-in-stool","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/besthealth.guide\/9-causes-why-there-could-be-blood-in-stool\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Causes Why There Could be Blood in Stool"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"There are many different symptoms that we have been taught to be highly wary of. While no one likes to experience any health problem, some specific symptoms will be associated with serious health issues that can cause us to panic.<\/p>\n

For example, if you have chest pain, then your immediate assumption may be that you are having a heart attack. Likewise, if you notice a lump on your breast, then you may assume breast cancer.<\/p>\n

The truth is that these signs can indicate something very serious, and getting checked out is always a good idea \u2013 it\u2019s better to be safe than to be sorry!<\/p>\n

At the same time though, you shouldn\u2019t jump to conclusions and assume the very worst. While you wait to be seen, try not to worry unduly. The truth is that it could be something far less worrisome.
\nThis is definitely true when it comes to blood in the stool for instance. This is a common cause for concern, but it may point to something far less dangerous than you presume. In this post, we will take a look at some of the potential causes.<\/p>\n

1. Piles<\/h3>\n

One of the most common causes for blood in the stool is piles (hemorrhoids<\/a>). While this isn\u2019t a fun or pleasant condition, it also isn\u2019t a condition that you need to worry about.<\/p>\n

Piles are caused by broken blood vessels around the anus that can push through the skin known as anal fissures. And this is often the result of either straining very hard on the toilet (perhaps due to constipation) or sitting for very long times on a hard surface. The truth is that the human body is actually not intended to sit down and in the wild, we likely would have squatted instead!<\/p>\n

To avoid the condition, try not to strain harder than necessary. At the same time, you could look into getting a soft or supportive cushion for your chair \u2013 or just taking regular breaks to stand up and walk around. Piles result in the blood that is red, which is because it has come from the end of the digestive tract.
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\"\"2. Ulcerative Colitis<\/h3>\n

Ulcerative colitis<\/a> is likely to show up as a more pinky, or tan colored blood. This may also be accompanied by pus or mucus and it is commonly associated with diarrhea, stomach pain, and loss of appetite. Ulcerative colitis is a condition that is a form of irritable bowel disease \u2013 like Crohn\u2019s disease. It is not to be confused with an irritable bowel disorder, even though it shares many of the same symptoms.<\/p>\n

UC is caused by inflammation in the colon. This occurs because of an infection, or because of autoimmune disease in most cases. The result is pain and discomfort in the area and the formation of ulcers that can then break open to cause the bleeding and the pus.
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\"\"3. Broken Skin<\/h3>\n

Piles demonstrate how very red blood might be the result of damage near the outside of the digestive system rather than deep inside (which causes a much darker discoloration). Broken skin can cause the precise same thing. If you have a small cut, split skin, or even some kind of rash<\/a> or irritation, then this can likewise cause the appearance of bright red blood that may make its way into the stool.<\/p>\n

Of course, you are more likely to notice this when wiping and you may also notice that it is sore to touch. If this is the case then you should find that it heals and goes away on its own after a short time.
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4. Diverticular Disease<\/h3>\n

Diverticular are the small pouches that protrude from the wall of the colon. These don\u2019t usually cause any problems but if they become infected, they can then swell up and break causing the appearance of pink or tan blood in the stool. They might also in some cases begin to bleed and cause this same symptom with no infection<\/a>, pain, or discomfort.<\/p>\n

Again, this type of lighter blood is usually not a sign that you need to worry but it is still always a good idea to check in with your doctor.
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5. Angiodysplasia<\/h3>\n

This condition causes fragile and unusual blood vessels to break in the gut. This can then cause gastrointestinal bleeding that has seemingly no other cause. While this isn\u2019t usually a problem, it can of course be alarming and if enough blood is lost, then it might also lead to anemia \u2013 the loss of red blood cells. Anemia results in tiredness, pale looking skin, and shortness of breath.<\/p>\n

Red blood cells are what carry oxygen and nutrients around the body to provide our muscles and organs with the energy they need to keep operating \u2013 so it is no surprise that when these are low, we feel sluggish. Other causes of anemia include low iron (seeing as the red blood cells are made from iron) and low B12. In these cases, supplementing may help.<\/p>\n

Angiodysplasia<\/a> tends to affect the cecum or ascending colon most often, but the lesions can also affect other areas too. The condition can be managed to reduce the problem, however, it is not usually curable \u2013 only around 20% of cases can be fixed completely.
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6. Cancer<\/h3>\n

Of course, the one that everyone is afraid of is cancer<\/a>. Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common form of cancer in the US, and this can be very frightening for people. If you have found blood in your stool though, there is actually only a low chance that this is due to cancer. This is because the blood in the stool is usually quite dark and that means that it can actually go unnoticed.<\/p>\n

Other symptoms other than rectal bleeding include diarrhea, constipation, and a change in the consistency of stool lasting for more than four weeks. It also commonly causes persistent pain in the abdomen and gas, cramps, and more.<\/p>\n

Again, you\u2019ll notice that these are all symptoms that can also be associated with many other conditions. Catching cancer early can be the difference between survival \u2013 so make sure that you err on the side of caution and if you suspect you may have cancer, always check with your physician.
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7. Polyps<\/h3>\n

Polyps<\/a> are benign growths that might appear in similar places to the tumors and growths associated with colorectal cancer. The reason for this is because those polyps will sometimes become cancerous. Cancer is caused by genetic mutations affecting the cells. What happens is that damage occurs to the cells \u2013 often as a result of bombardment by free radicals \u2013 and this can affect the very DNA (the genetic code housed inside the nucleus).<\/p>\n

Because cells multiply through mitosis \u2013 by splitting and multiplying \u2013 this means that any bad DNA will then get copied over and over each time the division occurs, causing a spread of damaged DNA throughout the body and poor performance. Even if the polyps remain benign, however, they can still cause the rectal bleeding and blood in the stool.
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8. Varicose Veins of the Esophagus<\/h3>\n

While you should hopefully be able to stay calm knowing that visible blood is unlikely to be caused by cancer, that doesn\u2019t mean you shouldn\u2019t be concerned that the cause might not be something else that is very worrying.<\/p>\n

For instance, there is a real possibility that the symptoms are caused by varicose veins<\/a> of the esophagus. Here, the windpipe has varicose veins \u2013 large protruding blood vessels.<\/p>\n

These can then actually lead to huge amounts of blood loss, to the point that you can be in danger of loss of consciousness, lightheaded and other symptoms that you might associate with a catastrophic traumatic injury.<\/p>\n

Here, the blood is black or tarry. This is because it is being lost from the earliest points in the digestive tract. You might also notice yourself vomiting and having large amounts of blood in the vomit \u2013 due to the blood entering your stomach. You can also pass out and lose consciousness.
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9. Peptic Ulcers<\/h3>\n

If you have an open sore in the lining of the stomach or in the duodenum, then this can also lead to blood in the stool. Peptic ulcers<\/a> are caused usually by infections, specifically infections of the bacterium Helicobacter Pylori. Another common cause is the long-term use of anti-inflammatory drugs taken orally, such as ibuprofen, aspirin, or naproxen.<\/p>\n

You should make sure that you avoid using anti-inflammatory medications too regularly unless you are prescribed to do so by your GP for this reason.<\/p>\n

There are many other potential causes for blood in the stool and more than we can list here. Essentially, anything that causes bleeding at any point in the digestive tract \u2013 even the mouth \u2013 could feasibly result in blood ending up in the stool. The color, texture, and other symptoms will normally be able to give you the best clues as to what the cause is. Note as well that it may not even be blood! Have you eaten anything that might stain your stool read lately?
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