What can cause blood in stools?

Question

Hi doctor,

I am facing an embarrassing problem. Since last two weeks, I feel like going to the toilet more than once, while usually I do it only once in the morning. Also, I am a bit uncomfortable as all day it feels like I have not cleared my bowel activities for the day. Recently, about four days back, I noticed blood along with my stool. It was full red in color and fresh. Also, to mention that from last two weeks my stool was very hard. So, I doubt if it is a case of internal tear in the stool passing line and not a serious case of piles. But to add, these days I am feeling a bit uncomfortable near my anus and some sort of itching type, but not exactly itching. Today morning, I saw five to six fresh blood drops and then only stool passed out. I touched my anus with my finger and found fresh and red blood in my fingers. I also found one small blood clot near the anal area. I am really worried about this. Please help me with this.

About 9 years back, the same kind of problem happened. But, my father took me to a doctor and as far I remember the doctor gave me two ointments for application inside the anus. Then after a few days I was fine. Kindly help me and let me know if you want to know anything more.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com. I'm sorry to hear about your concerns regarding bleeding during bowel movements. It is essential to consider several potential causes for this symptom. The most likely issue in your case could be an Anal fissure, which is often associated with pain and hard stools. Medical treatment with local creams like Betamethasone and Lidocaine, oral Pilex tablets, and stool softeners may be effective. Dietary changes, such as increasing liquids, fiber, and vegetables, can also be helpful.

Another possibility is Internal hemorrhoids, which might not be visible externally but can cause bleeding and pain during defecation. In more advanced stages, surgical treatment may be required. Colon diverticula and rectum inflammation are other potential causes, characterized by pain, red blood in the stools, and alternating constipation and diarrhea. Treating the underlying condition is crucial in such cases.

While rectum or anus polyps and tumors are rare at your age, they cannot be entirely ruled out and require careful treatment by specialized surgeons. To accurately diagnose the specific cause, it is essential to consult a surgeon for a physical examination and possibly endoscopic examinations of your anus, rectum, and colon. A comprehensive evaluation will help determine the appropriate treatment and management plan based on the underlying condition.