While going to the bathroom is as normal as it gets, your trip to the bathroom may end up giving you a nasty surprise, especially if there is blood in your stool. While this is usually an indicator of an external issue such as a fissure or hemorrhoids, it could also be an underlying sign of something more serious. Let’s see when to see a specialist about blood in the stool.
When to See a Specialist About Blood in the Stool
Below, your trusted hepatology specialist in Los Angeles will help you determine when blood in your stool is no big deal, and when to see a specialist about blood in the stool. It is a good idea to stay in touch with your doctor either way, as keeping your bowel movements regular is key to maintaining all other types of physical health.
Do You Have Any of the Following Symptoms?
While blood in the stool is not something that should be happening every day, it is only a serious issue if it is accompanied by other symptoms. You should get in touch with your doctor if you have blood in your stool and:
- You are more tired or fatigued than usual
- You are running a fever
- There is pain and cramping in the abdomen before and after you go to the bathroom
- You are having bowel movements a lot more frequently (or a lot less frequently)
- You are abnormally tired
Blood in your stool can look like a few different things. It can either appear as blood in the toilet, blood on the toilet paper after you have wiped, or red-colored stool. Depending on the cause of your symptoms, you might be dealing with a serious medical issue.
Major Causes of Bloody Stool
What could be causing you to have blood in your stool? This is what your doctor is going to help you find out. Although sometimes, the root cause of your medical issues may not be completely clear. Your doctor will likely want to test for common conditions such as:
- Hemorrhoids, which are swollen blood vessels near your rectum or anus. This is one of the most common causes of blood in the stool that isn’t medically serious. Treatment is still recommended ASAP as hemorrhoids can be very painful to deal with.
- Anal Fissures, which are external tears along the lining of the anus. This can cause bleeding in the stool when untreated.
- Colorectal cancer, which may be present if you have had untreated blood in the stool for a long period of time.
- Colitis, an intestinal condition marked by the inflammation of the colon. Gastrointestinal issues often cause irritation in or near the rectum, resulting in blood that comes out with the stool.
Maybe you noticed a little bit of blood in your stool one time. But you don’t see any more after that. Then you may not be dealing with a serious issue. But even if you aren’t overly concerned, it is worth visiting your doctor for a full diagnosis just to be certain.
Getting Treatment
Depending on the cause of your bloody stool, there are a number of accessible treatment options available to you. Hemorrhoids can be treated through laxatives, warm baths, and topical ointments to reduce the swelling over time. Other, more serious conditions like polyps or colorectal cancer may require more intensive treatments that your doctor will speak to you about in length.
For many patients, bloody stool simply means that there is some sort of rip or tear near the anus. Switching to a better diet, wiping more gently in the bathroom, and applying soothing ointments can help reduce the likelihood of finding blood in your stool again.
Get Expert Colorectal Care with Dr. Tabib
The office of Dr. Tabib is your number one source for getting help with all types of gastrointestinal bleeding in Los Angeles. Whether you are worried about seeing blood in your stool or you want a further diagnosis for a condition you already have, we can help you create realistic and attainable steps towards a future of good health. Get in touch with us today to schedule your personalized consultation.
