Bowel Movement Bleeding – 6 Causes In The Rectum
Bloody (adjective, not expletive) appropriately characterizes bowel movement bleeding. Bright red spots of blood drip into the toilet bowl or down the legs. Red blood coats stool surfaces. Bright red scarlet blood stains toilet tissue. Alarm causes our hearts to miss a beat. What is happening?
There is no need to be unduly alarmed yet as the hemorrhaging (technical jargon for bleeding) may be the result of any one of 6 likely reasons. As irksome as they are to our daily lives, most of the 6 causes are not severe and treatable if approached correctly. But complacency is not being advocated. Closely monitor. See a doctor immediately if bleeding accompanied by pain drags on for more than a week.
With professional diagnosis and correct treatment, the problem can be rectified quickly. More alarmingly, bowel movement bleeding may be the consequence of some class of cancer.
Melena or Hematochezia
Rectal bleeding is referred to in medical circles as melena (tarry or sticky black colored stools) or hematochezia (maroon colored or bright red blood). Described as rectal only for the reason that bleeding leaves the body via the rectum, the 6 causes are proctitis, anorectal fistulae, anal fissures, rectal prolapse, internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids.
Proctitis
Proctitis is medically listed in the IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) group which includes the small intestine and the colon or large intestine. Inflammation is a healthy reaction of the body when its tissues are damaged. Inflammation is a double-edged sword, triggering off mending of wounded tissue but causing tissue injury if left unchecked. Erosion of the mucous membrane lining, commonly known as ulcers, can erupt to cause rectal proctitis.
Among other symptoms, bowel movement bleeding is a frequent occurrence. Proctitis as the cause of rectal bleeding must be eliminated as it can lead to perforation of the rectum if left untreated.
Anorectal Fistulae
This is an aberrant passageway or tunnel between two or more internal organs that are not naturally interconnected. All too often, it tunnels all the way to break out of nearby skin surface. An anorectal fissure has its opening at the anal surface. Abnormal discharge of stools and urine via this fistula may occur.
Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis and ulcerative proctitis are among the inflammatory bowel diseases that can result in anorectal fistulae. Quite apart from infection pus, bowel movement bleeding is also one of the symptoms.
Accurate diagnosis of fistulae is crucial as it can be due to peritonitis (abdominal lining inflammation) which can be life-threatening. Treatment often involves tracing the full path of the fistula, surgery in conjunction with antibiotic therapy.
Anal Fissures
A fissure is simply a tear. An anal fissure is a tear around the opening of the anus caused frequently by inordinate physical strain during constipation. Hassle-free bowel motion is contingent upon the external and internal anal sphincter muscles being in a relaxed state. Painful fissures can cause the internal sphincter muscle to go into spasms that greatly increase pressure in the region, further worsening the fissure. A dangerous cycle develops with the consequence of more pain and bowel movement bleeding.
Diet changes to alleviate constipation and medication (local anaesthetics like lidocaine and steroids like hydrocortisone may relieve the pain and inflammation and consequently the destructive spasms.
Rectal Prolapse
Archaeological chronicles show that rectal prolapse is an aged sickness from eons ago, dating as far back as 1500 B.C.! This is an unusual situation, affecting primarily elderly females, whereby the rectum sticks out of the anus and become visible on the exterior of the body. Weakened muscles, including external and internal sphincter muscles, and ligaments fail to hold the rectum in its place.
Pelvic floor descent of the uterus and bladder, recurrent constipation and diarrhea leading to severe bowel movement complications are other attendant symptoms. Surgery is often the only treatment that works.
Hemorrhoids – Internal & External
In spite of the above disconcerting narration, it may be ironic relief that the most frequent reason for bowel movement bleeding is hemorrhoids, both internal and external. These are dealt with extensively at our site The Treatment Of Hemorrhoid.
Feel free to explore the many alternatives available to deal effectively with them. Specifically, have a look at the H Miracle, an alternative solution presented by an ex-sufferer that promises natural solutions that not only work but are permanently effective.
Further Reading
If you are interested in finding more about this topic, we have a related post on Blood In Stool – 7 Possible Causes In The Colon at our site. Do check this out.
