Causes And Symptoms Of Rectal Bleeding

Symptoms of rectal bleeding are easily detected. After wiping your bottom, you may observe toilet paper to be streaked with red blood or with pinkish stains. Or if your bleeding is a little more severe, you may actually observe fresh red blood oozing out of the rectum. However, after from these symptoms, it is not easy to determine if your rectal bleeding is something benign or malignant, without the help of a proper diagnosis.

In most cases, rectal bleeding is not serious and is in fact a common occurence that can be corrected with some diet and lifestyle changes. However, there are cases of rectal bleeding
that are indicative early signs of a malignant condition. It is therefore in your best interest to see a doctor about your symptoms.

Rectal bleeding is also known as hematochezia. It refers to the passage of bright red blood or maroon-coloured blood from the rectum. The blood may be with or without clots. If your rectal
bleeding is low grade and self-limited, you probably do not require hospitalisations or urgent intervention.

Serious cases can occur in two situations. If you experience severe rectal bleeding and suffer from severe volume of blood loss and especially where anaemia is indicated, you would need
hospitalisation. Or if you are severely ill due to some other conditions and you start to develop rectal bleeding. In both these situations, you would need immediate medical attention.

Causes of rectal bleeding can be many. Tears ripped in the rectal lining or infections affecting the rectum can cause hematochezia. Haemorrhoids are largely the cause, when the swollen veins break. Polyps, lumps of tissue bulging out from the rectal lining, can also bleed. Colorectal cancer is another possible cause.

Age is a significant risk factor in colorectal cancer. If you have a family history of polyps and ulcerative colitis, then your risk to colerectal cancer also increases. Your doctor would also need to observe for other signs like anaemia and sudden weight losses for a complete diagnosis.

However, if you experience rectal bleeding together with anal symptoms, like soreness and itching, changes in bowel habits, the chances that the bleeding is due to malignancy are lower. You are likely to see symptoms like blood staining the toilet paper in anorectal causes.

Rectal bleeding can be massive in cases of bleeding ulcers. If your bleeding is caused by polyps, your doctor may suggest that you have them removed. If removal is not done, you should make some diet changes to reduce any chance of inflammation effects. If haemorrhoids are the probable cause of rectal bleeding, then consider a more fiber-rich diet.

Unfortunately, most patients who suffer from rectal bleeding do not consult a doctor early enough. They are usually too embarrassed to see a doctor about it. To know if your condition is a benign or a malignant one, you really need to go check it out before it gets serious. Also, let your doctor know about what drugs and herbal medications that you have been consuming.

This information is necessary in determining the causes of your rectal bleeding.