Rectal Bleeding
Is Rectal Bleeding a Serious Issue?
Seeing blood in the toilet or wiping after a bowel movement can be alarming, but it is quite common with many patients in Plano, TX. Fortunately, most of the causes of rectal bleeding are not life-threatening, but the only way to be sure it is not serious is to be evaluated by a doctor. Rectal bleeding can be a sign of something severe such as colon cancer or inflammatory bowel disease, but most often it is caused by hemorrhoids or anal fissures.
When do I need to see a doctor?
As noted above, most people with rectal bleeding don’t have cancer or some other serious condition. However, it is not possible to know the cause of rectal bleeding without an examination. Therefore, anyone who notices rectal bleeding should make an appointment with a gastroenterologist.
While other doctors may be able to address rectal bleeding, a gastroenterologist has the most specific training and experience in diagnosing and treating digestive tract conditions. Rectal bleeding can originate from anywhere in the GI tract. Hence, a GI doctor’s comprehensive understanding of the potential causes enables them to accurately diagnose the cause and recommend the most appropriate treatment plan.
What causes rectal bleeding?
There are many causes of rectal bleeding from life threatening to minor issues. The two most common causes are hemorrhoids and anal fissures. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectum or anus that can become swollen and cause symptoms such as pain, itching and can sometimes bleed. Painless rectal bleeding with a bowel movement is a common symptom of hemorrhoids. An anal fissure is a tear in the lining of the anus, and these tears also cause bleeding; but with fissures they also cause pain with bowel movements.
Other causes of rectal bleeding include IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) colon cancer, colon polyps, colitis and even diverticulosis.
In addition, bleeding from higher in the digestive tract such as the stomach or small bowel can produce black tarry bowel movements which is very serious as well and needs to be evaluated.
Why should I worry about rectal bleeding?
While most rectal bleeding is caused by the non-serious causes already mentioned, bleeding can also be caused by very serious medical conditions like cancer or precancerous lesions. Precancerous polyps located lower in the colon can mimic the bleeding from hemorrhoids and they can be removed safely from the colon, preventing progression to cancer. Colon cancer frequently is diagnosed in patients who have ignored bleeding for years because they assume it was from hemorrhoids.
Dr. Brown’s Advice
“When we see blood in the toilet or on the paper, it can be very alarming. Typically, this is easy to treat and is often an indication of hemorrhoids. However, since all bleeding is abnormal, you should see a physician to make sure it is not an indicator of a larger medical issue.”
What are the tests for rectal bleeding?
There are several tests for rectal bleeding and the best one depends on your age, symptoms and medical and family history.
- Rectal examination is the easiest test to perform and is done in the office and sometimes can detect the cause of bleeding with no further examination.
- Anoscopy allows us to inspect the anus and lower rectum in the office. It is a quick procedure which requires no sedation and is very good to evaluate hemorrhoids.
- Colonoscopy is the most thorough test to evaluate for rectal bleeding. A colonoscopy is a procedure in which we will examine the entire colon, while you are asleep. Please see our page on colonoscopy for full details on this examination.
Disclaimer: The information presented on this website is not intended to take the place of your personal physician’s advice and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Discuss this information with your healthcare provider to determine what is right for you. All information is intended for your general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical condition