Bloody Stools | Causes | Symptoms | Treatment - Dr. Arun Aggarwal

What are bloody stools? — Seeing blood on your child's stool can be frightening. If you have bloody stools, you might see bright red blood:

●On the toilet paper after wiping

●In the toilet after you go to the bathroom

●On the surface of or mixed in with your bowel movements

In some cases, bloody stools look like black tar rather than like they have blood on them.

What causes bloody stools? — common causes are:

       ●   Anal fissures – These are tears in the skin on the anus usually secondary to constipation.

●     Polyps

●     Inflammatory bowel disease

●     Milk protein intolerance

●     Infections

What other symptoms should I watch for? — These symptoms can show what is causing your problem and if it is serious:

●Itching or pain in the anus

●Feelings of ripping or burning during bowel movements

●Fever, weight loss, and heavy sweating at night

●Diarrhea

●Feeling like you need to have a bowel movement, but not being able to go

●Belly pain

●Bowel movements that look black or dark red

●Changes in how often or how hard or soft your bowel movements are

●Bleeding that goes on for a long time or that comes back again and again

Should I see a doctor? — See your Gastroenterologist right away if you notice any blood with your bowel movements. Bleeding from any site is not normal.

Are there tests I should have? — Your doctor will decide which tests you should have based on your age, other symptoms, and individual situation.

Here are the most common tests doctors use to find the cause of bloody stools:

●Rectal exam – Your gastroenterologist will look at the outside of your anus. He or she will also use a finger to feel inside the opening.

●Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy – For these tests, the doctor puts a thin tube into your anus. Then, he or she advances the tube into your large intestine. The large intestine is also called the colon. The tube has a camera attached to it, so the doctor can look inside your intestines. During these tests, the doctor can also take samples of tissue to look at under a microscope.

How are bloody stools treated? — Treatment depends on what is causing your bloody stools:

●Fiber supplements and medicines to keep your bowel movements soft

●Sitting in warm water a few times a day for about 15 minutes

●Creams and medicines that go on or inside your anus. These help with pain, itching, and swelling.

●More serious medicines for diseases of the digestive system

Can bloody stools be prevented? — If you have hemorrhoids, you can reduce the chances of getting bloody stools again by drinking lots of water and eating lots of fiber. Fiber is common in fruits, vegetables, and breakfast cereal.You might also need medicines to prevent constipation.