by Penny Phillip

Created on: November 20, 2008

Blood in the stool may visible to the naked eye or may be detected only by special tests. Bright red blood is commonly what people complain about, but black, sticky, stool that smells really bad, may also indicate the presence of blood. There are various medical conditions affecting the gastrointestinal tract that could cause blood to be present in stool.

Usually bright red bleeding comes from causes lower down in the intestines and black, sticky stool from causes higher up such as in the esophagus or stomach. Sometimes though rapid bleeding from higher up, e.g. from the stomach, may also appear as bright red blood in the stool.

The most common cause of blood in stool are hemorrhoids which occur when the blood-vessels of the anus get swollen and inflamed. Irritation of hemorrhoids by straining at stool or by excessive wiping, leads to bleeding. Many people who see blood in the toilet or on wiping, put it down to hemorrhoids but that may not always be the cause. It is always advisable to check with a doctor than to assume that bleeding is from hemorrhoids even when these are known to be present.

Bright red blood in the stool may also be caused by cancer of the gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach or intestines) or by non-cancerous or pre-cancerous growths in the intestine. Removal of such intestinal growths, or polyps, before they develop into cancer is the main reason that procedures to prevent colon cancer are recommended, beginning at age 50. The recommended age may even be earlier if a person has family members with colon cancer or if there are factors that put them at high risk.

Ulcers of the stomach or intestines are another common cause of blood in the stool. Inflammation of the lining of the intestine may also lead to blood in the stool, for example Crohn's disease or ulcerative colits. In such cases bloody diarrhea may be a complaint. Some bacteria, viruses or parasites can also cause bloody diarrhea.

Abnormal blood vessels in the intestine may be easily traumatized, giving rise to bleeding. Some common medications such as Aspirin, may cause or aggravate bleeding from the stomach or intestines, leading to blood in the stool. Liver disease may also result in blood in the stool, either due to an altered clotting process or due to the formation of abnormal vessels in the gastrointestinal tract.

Since the reasons for blood in the stool are many and varied, investigated to determine the underlying cause is always wise.

Learn more about this author, Penny Phillip.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.