Bloody [(the adjective, not the expletive)|(adjective, not expletive)|(not the expletive but the adjective)] [aptly|best|appropriately|pertinently|suitably] [characterizes|describes|depicts|exemplifies] bowel movement bleeding. Bright red spots of blood drip into the toilet bowl or down the legs. Red blood oozes from the surface of stools. Bright red scarlet blood stains toilet tissue. Our hearts may skip a beat in alarm. What is happening?
Alarming yes, but don’t panic yet for any one of 6 probable causes could explain the hemorrhaging (technical word for bleeding). Irksome to our daily lives but life-threatening the 6 causes are not if they are treated correctly in a timely manner. However, complacency is ill-advised. Monitor intently. Without delay, consult a medical doctor if bleeding, especially with pain drags on for more than a week.
A proper diagnosis will identify the exact cause so that correct treatment can be administered to solve the problem. More [alarmingly|critically|gravely|dangerously|perilously], bowel movement bleeding may be [the result of|the consequence of|caused by|a symptom of] some [type|form|class] of cancer.
Melena or Hematochezia
Medical circles refer to the bleeding as hematochezia (bright red or maroon colored blood) or melena (black colored tarry or sticky stools) or simply the less technical term, rectal bleeding. Termed as rectal because the bleeding exits the body via the rectum, the 6 causes are proctitis, anorectal fistulae, anal fissures, rectal prolapse, internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids.
Proctitis
Proctitis is classified as an inflammatory bowel disease, a group of inflammatory conditions of the small intestine and the large intestine (colon). Inflammation in itself is a positive response of the human body to heal itself in the event of an injury to its tissue. Like a tap that must be turned off, inflammation sets off regenerating of impaired tissue but must stop thereafter or greater tissue impairment may ensue. Ulcers or erosion of the mucous membrane lining can erupt leading to proctitis in the rectum.
Among other symptoms, bowel movement bleeding is [a frequent feature|commonly encountered|a common encounter|a frequent occurrence]. Eliminating proctitis as the reason behind rectal bleeding is very important as they can become very serious when the rectum, respectively, is perforated.
Anorectal Fistulae
An anorectal fistula is a link-way that cuts through two or more internal organs that are not usually connected. Often, it cuts all the way to the surface of nearby skin surface. An anorectal fistula is one that opens out at the anal surface. Urine and stools may abnormally be expelled via this fistula.
The leading causes of anorectal fistulae are inflammatory bowel diseases, chiefly ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative proctitis. [Quite apart from|Aside from|Apart from|Other than] infection pus, bowel movement bleeding is also one of the symptoms.
Fistulae must be speedily diagnosed as it can be due to peritonitis (abdominal lining inflammation) which can be life-threatening. After the path of the fistula is traced, surgery with antibiotic therapy typically ensues.
Anal Fissures
By definition, a fissure is a tear. In the vicinity of the anus, an anal fissure is a tear in the skin that is blamed on undue physical strain during bouts of constipation. Bowel motion, whilst a normal part of life, requires a complex interaction of the external and internal sphincter muscles that regulate the movements of the anal opening. Painful fissures can cause the internal sphincter muscle to go into spasms that greatly increase pressure in the region, further worsening the fissure. A [dangerous|vicious] cycle [develops|ensues|follows|occurs] [with the result of|resulting in|with the consequence of] [increased|more|added] pain and bowel movement bleeding.
Together with medication (steroids like hydrocortisone and local anaesthetics like lidocaine), a change in diet may relieve the inflammation and painful spasms.
Rectal Prolapse
An antiquated affliction, the earliest documented rectal prolapse was in 1500 B.C.! Distinguished by a rectum protruding out of the anus, this rare state affects mainly elderly females. Ligaments and muscles, including the internal and external muscles, fail to hold the rectum in place.
Pelvic floor descent of the uterus and bladder, constant constipation and diarrhea leading to severe bowel movement complications are other accompanying symptoms. Frequently, the only solution is surgery.
[Internal Hemorrhoids & External Hemorrhoids|External Hemorrhoids & Internal Hemorrhoids|Internal & External Hemorrhoids|External & Internal Hemorrhoids|Hemorrhoids - Internal & External|Hemorrhoids - External & Internal]
[Notwithstanding|In spite of|Regardless of] the above [disconcerting|somber|weighty|austere|grim] narration, it may be ironic relief that the most [common|frequent|prevalent] [cause of|reason for] bowel movement bleeding is hemorrhoids, both [external and internal|internal and external]. These are dealt with extensively at our site The Treatment Of Hemorrhoid.
Concise summaries of many choices to get rid of hemorrhoids are found right there. [Specifically|In particular], have a look at the H Miracle, an alternative solution presented by an ex-sufferer that promises natural solutions that not only work but [have lasting effect|are permanently effective|have lasting results].
Further Reading
If you are interested in finding more about this topic, we have a related post on Blood In Stool – 7 Possible Causes In The Colon at our site. Do check this out.
