What Are the Causes of Bloody Stools?
If you have bloody stool (feces), the blood can be coming from various sites within your body, and not necessarily from your rectum. Blood can come from anywhere along your digestive tract. Sometimes you may not even see it because it such a small amount. When there is enough blood that you can see it and, as a result, are concerned about it, your physician will ask precisely what color it is, because the color of the stool helps determine where the bleeding is occurring. When the stool is red or maroon, this is called hematochezia. When it is black and tarry and foul smelling, it is called melena.
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Distinctions
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Dr. Jacob L. Heller, M.D., of the Virginia Mason Medical Center notes that black and tarry stool indicates that the blood originated in the upper part of your GI (gastrointestinal) tract. The upper GI tract includes the first part of the small intestine, the stomach and the esophagus. The reason the blood is black and tarry is because it has been exposed to the digestive juices produced by the body.
If you are bleeding in the GI tract, this may be due to inflammation caused by taking aspirin, ibuprofen or naproxen, or it may be the result of stomach ulcers, according to Healthline. Black stool can also be caused by a tear in the esophagus, which can be the result of violent vomiting. This kind of tear is referred to as a Mallory-Weiss tear.
Considerations
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Of course, if you have eaten blackberries or black licorice or have taken Pepto-Bismol or iron pills, this can make your stool turn black. On the other hand, eating beets and tomatoes can turn your stool red.
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Red Stool
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If your stool is bright red or maroon colored, this indicates that the blood is coming from your rectum, anus or large bowel, which make up the lower part of the GI tract. Diverticulosis, which occurs when pouches develop in the colon, and hemorrhoids are the most common reasons for lower GI bleeding and red stool. However, it is possible to have a tumor, which can cause bleeding, as well as abnormal collections of blood vessels called AVMs (arteriovenous malformations) that will make you bleed and turn your stool red. If you are rapidly and massively bleeding from the stomach, this will cause bright red feces.
Causes
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Other conditions that can cause red stool include Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis, which are considered inflammatory bowel diseases (gastritis); bacterial enterocolitis, which is an infection of the intestine; trauma to the GI tract or the presence of a foreign body; colon cancer or colon polyps; bowel ischemia (lack of proper blood flow); and anal fissures, according to the National Institutes of Health.
Treatment
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If you are experiencing black and tarry stool or red stool, don't ignore it. This must be brought to the attention of your physician. If you notice a change in your stool color, do not hesitate to contact your doctor. The type of treatment you will receive depends on what is causing the bleeding and how serious the condition is. If you are bleeding massively, this may require hospitalization and a blood transfusion.
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