Rectal Bleeding Causes
What Is Rectal Bleeding?
Rectal bleeding, or blood in stool, refers to the passing out of blood from the anus, which may appear in the stools, on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement.
Rectal bleeding may occur painlessly or accompanied by symptoms such as pain in the anus or a change in bowel habit.
Is Rectal Bleeding Considered Severe?
Most of the time, rectal bleeding is not life-threatening. Mild rectal bleeding with a few drops of fresh blood can arise from benign conditions like:
Haemorrhoid
Where blood vessels in the anal canal become abnormally enlarged due to repetitive straining.
Anal fissure
A tear in the lining of the anus that develops as a result of passing hard or large stools, or severe diarrhoea.
Should there be heavy or chronic bleeding, alongside these other symptoms, the rectal bleeding may then be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, like diverticular disease or colorectal cancer, and requires prompt medical attention:
- Anaemia and/or feeling light-headed
- Chest pain and shortness of breath
- Pain in the abdomen, pelvis or rectum
- Fever
- Nausea and vomiting
- Pain or difficulty with swallowing
- Jaundice
- Significant unexplained weight loss
Diverticular Disease
When blood vessels in the diverticulum rupture, bleeding takes place, and stale blood and blood clots are passed out during bowel movements. In cases where there is severe bleeding, fresh blood can show up in the stools.
Colorectal Cancer
The large polyps located in the lower colon and rectum can cause bleeding. When left untreated, the polyps can become cancerous over time. An early diagnosis allows for timely removal of benign polyps before they turn malignant.
Complete evaluation and prompt diagnosis play a crucial role in determining the cause(s) of rectal bleeding, so as to alleviate symptoms and treat cancer of the colon and rectum — curable if detected early.
To schedule a consultation with Singapore
experienced colorectal specialist, Dr Ng Kheng Hong,
call +65 6475 5512 or WhatsApp +65 8228 5578.
What Should I Do If I Notice Blood In My Stools?
Observe the pattern of the rectal bleeding, the extent of pain, and changes to your bowel habits:
- Does the bleeding occur frequently?
- Does it fetch a sensation of tearing or burning pain during or after a bowel movement?
- What are the recent changes in your bowel habits?
Monitor your stools for a few days, and if the bleeding persists, seek medical attention. If you are 50 years old and above, have a personal history of polyps or a family history of colorectal cancer, see a colorectal specialist who may recommend a colonoscopy for detailed screening.