I passed a lot of bright blood with stool today. Should I be worried?

Question

Hello doctor,

I was constipated yesterday full day. When I went to the toilet today, there was quite a lot of bright red blood. I went again and sat on the toilet without actually doing anything, and there was more blood. I have had cramps as well. Should I be worried right now? I have had bowel problems for like three months.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

There are many causes for blood in the stools. The severity can vary from mild bleeding (common) to a severe life-threatening bleeding (uncommon). If the bleeding is heavy or if you have black stools, that is older blood due to a bleed from high up in the gut, then see a doctor immediately or call an ambulance. However, it is often a mild bleed. In this situation, make an appointment with your doctor so that the cause can be found. Tests that he can advise you are sigmoidoscopy. It can be amoebic dysentery also. In that case, you will be given antiamoebic drugs and fluids. Thank you and take care. Regards.