Dr. Nagaraj
Diabetology
The following is an actual conversation between an iCliniq user and a doctor that has been reviewed and published as a Premium Q&A.
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Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
I noticed a small bit of blood upon wiping the rectum after the bowel movement. I have been struggling with constipation for eight weeks; I also did a FIT home test which showed blood on the same sample. My doctor thinks all connected to constipation and straining, as I have had to strain for bowel movements lately. She will refer me to eating disorders as my diet is poor. I did have a colonoscopy, and she is not concerned. As she said, it is highly unlikely that cancer will develop quickly. Can being on laxatives make your stool a bit sticky? Again, the doctor says she is not concerned given that I had a colonoscopy in such a short time, nobody at home is eating well, and my parents are also a bit constipated. Please help.
Hello,
Welcome to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Besides a bit of blood through a back passage, do you experience any other symptoms like tiredness, change in weight, pain in the tummy, etc.? Does it hurt while passing stools? Do you have any other medical conditions? How is your physical routine (sedentary lifestyle or regular physical exercise)? Please let me know to suggest better. I hope you find it helpful.
Take care.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
No other symptoms. No exercise. A poor diet, not eating well. Pushing sometimes to get stool out. Is the colonoscopy completed six months ago still good? My doctor did not seem concerned. As she said, as the colonoscopy was clear, it is unlikely to be cancer and could be due to poor eating habits and stress. Parents are also a bit constipated due to poor diet; we all live in the same house, stressed out and anxious.
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
As you do not have other symptoms suggestive of cancer (weight change, fatigue, etc.), and your recent colonoscopy was normal, I, too, do not suspect it to be cancer. Colon or colorectal cancer usually manifests slowly, starting with occult blood in the stool, which can be identified in the lab. The following few simple things can help you to a large extent.
1. Regular physical exercise. Avoid being seated for a long time. This will reduce bowel movements significantly. Exercise helps in fastening bowel movements
2. Include green leafy vegetables and a more fiber diet in food. This also helps to a large extent. Avoid fatty or cheesy foods.
3. Drink plenty of water.
4. Do not strain too much while passing stools. This only aggravates the situation and leads to pain and bleeding.
In your case, bleeding could be due to straining at stools. Avoid it.
Follow the above steps, and I am sure it will help you. Suggest some to your parents as well.
I hope you find it helpful.
Take care.
Patient's Query
Hi doctor,
Ok, I will follow these so you do not think it is serious. For example, can constipation cause hidden blood? Should blood from constipation be seen, or could there be blood from straining?
Hello,
Welcome back to icliniq.com.
I understand your concern.
Constipation can cause bleeding (fresh bleeding like what you had) in two ways.
First, hard stool causes a tear of the rectum's lining (lower part of the back passage, known as rectal mucosa) and is an anal fissure. This is painful.
Second, the pressure built up while straining can cause swelling of the veins (blood channels), which ultimately rupture and cause bleeding. This is known as hemorrhoids. Sometimes you may feel hemorrhoids as a small bag of worms like feeling while wiping.
In addition, if you do not have a family history of colon cancer, this further excludes you from having cancer.
I hope you find it helpful.
Take care.
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Diabetology
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