Bloody (adjective, not expletive) best depicts bowel movement bleeding. Bright red spots of blood drip into the toilet bowl or down the legs. Crimson red blood coats the stools. Toilet tissue may be stained by scarlet red blood. Alarm causes our hearts to miss a beat. What is going on?
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 annoying 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. Start monitoring. Without delay, see a medical doctor if bleeding, especially with pain persists more than a week.
With professional diagnosis and correct treatment, the problem can be rectified quickly. More critically, bowel movement bleeding may be caused by some form of cancer.
Hematochezia or Melena
In medical circles, rectal bleeding is referred to as hematochezia (maroon colored or bright red blood) or melena (black colored sticky or tarry stools). Referred to 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 falls within the medical group of diseases known as IBD (inflammatory bowel disease) which counts among them organs like the colon (large intestines) and the small intestines. Inflammation is a healthy reaction of the body when its tissues are injured. Often too much of a good thing can become harmful; so it is with inflammation, which if leftunfettered upon mending impaired tissue can itself be the cause of more tissue harm. Rectal proctitis is caused by erosion of the mucous membrane lining i.e. ulcers.
Among other symptoms, bowel movement bleeding is a frequent feature. Eliminating proctitis as the reason behind rectal bleeding is very important as they can become very serious when the rectum, respectively, is perforated.
Anorectal Fistulae
An anorectal fistula is a link-way that cuts through two or more internal organs that are not usually connected. Often, it cuts all the way to the surface of nearby skin surface. An anorectal fistula is one that opens out at the anal surface. Abnormal discharge of stools and urine via this fistula may occur.
Inflammatory bowel diseases, chiefly ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and ulcerative proctitis, are the main causes of anorectal fistulae. Apart from infection pus, bowel movement bleeding is also one of the symptoms.
Proper diagnosis of fistulae is imperative 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. Frequently ascribed to undue physical strain during constipation, an anal fissure is a tear around the opening of the anus. Bowel motion, whilst a normal part of life, requires a complex interaction of the external and internal sphincter muscles that regulate the actions of the anal opening. Fissures may worsen as they cause the internal sphincter muscle to break into bouts of spasms. A dangerous cycle follows with the consequence of more pain and bowel movement bleeding.
A change in diet to reduce constipation coupled with medication (lidocaine or hydrocortisone) may relieve the pain, inflammation and the harmful spasms.
Rectal Prolapse
The earliest recorded rectal prolapse was in ancient 1500 B.C.! Identifiable by a rectum sticking out of the anus, this rare situation affects chiefly elderly women. Ligaments and muscles, including the internal and external muscles, fail to hold the rectum in place.
Other concurrent symptoms include chronic constipation, diarrhea, bowel motion difficulties and pelvic floor descent. Quite often, the only treatment that works is surgery.
Internal Hemorrhoids & External Hemorrhoids
Notwithstanding the above disconcerting narration, it may be ironic relief that the most frequent reason for bowel movement bleeding is hemorrhoids, both external and internal. These are dealt with extensively at our site The Treatment Of Hemorrhoid.
The answer to permanent recovery from hemorrhoids can be found right there. In particular, have a look at the H Miracle, an alternative solution presented by an ex-sufferer that promises natural solutions that not only work but have lasting results.
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.
