What does it mean when you have blood in your stool?
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Blood in the stool may come from anywhere along your digestive tract, from mouth to anus. It may be present in such small amounts that you cannot actually see it, but is only detectable by a fecal occult blood test. When there IS enough blood to change the appearance of your stools, the doctor will want to know the exact color to help find the site of bleeding. To make a diagnosis, your doctor may use endoscopy or special x-ray studies.
A black stool usually means that the blood is coming from the upper part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This includes the esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine. Blood will typically look like tar after it has been exposed to the body's digestive juices. Stomach ulcers caused by ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin are common causes of upper GI bleeding.
Maroon-colored stools or bright red blood usually suggest that the blood is coming from the lower part of the GI tract (large bowel or rectum). Hemorrhoids and diverticulitis (inflammation of an abnormal pouch in the colon) are the most common causes of lower GI bleeding. However, sometimes massive or rapid bleeding in the stomach causes bright red stools.
Consuming black licorice, lead, iron pills, bismuth medicines like Pepto-Bismol, or blueberries can also cause black stools. Beets and tomatoes can sometimes make stools appear reddish. In these cases, your doctor can test the stool with a chemical to rule out the presence of blood.
It's time to see a doctor.
that means you've got piles.
is it painful?
did you pass hard stool?
eat only oats, weetbixs or high fiber bran, not only
for breakfast have it until the stool get softer.
not to be a scare, but you should go to the emergancy room. i know a girl who had this happen and she ended up in the hospital for a while and had to get blood transfusions. it could be a tear in your rectum, but you really should get it checked immediately. take care.
If it is fresh (red) blood, you know that it isn't cancer and that the problem is closer to the cavity. (My great-aunt had stomach/intestinal cancer and the stool was at times black from old rotting blood).
You may be constipated or have hemorrhoids. Eat healthy foods like fresh fruits, etc.
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/f...
It means that you should see a doctor and schedule a colonoscopy to see what is going on. You didn't give your age ...but this is something you should not put off. I only had hemmroids last year but my sister (54) had colorectal cancer. She is cancer free right now and went thru alot. Don't pay any attention to the silly answers ...go to the doctor.
You are nervous I know..but it will be worth the relief in knowing what it is. Good luck and God bless.
Is the blood dark red or bright red? If it is bright red then this means that it is new and may be caused from a hemorroid, fissure or tearing from stool that is very hard. If the blood is dark and in the stool, this means you are having some bleeding deep in your intestines and could be a sign of Crohn's disease, Irritable Bowel, Colitis, Diverticulitis, polyps. In any case you really need to see your doctor and he may suggest you go to see a gastroentorologist who specializes in digestive problems and diseases. Do not wait around. You may need to have a colonoscopy or some other test to determine where the blood is coming from. I have Crohn's disease and I have this problem a lot. I wish you health and I hope you find out what the reason is for the blood soon and that it is nothing serious! God Bless!
Here is a site you can go to for some other advice on the subject.
http://www.medicinenet.com/script/main/f...
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