What Are the Causes of Blood Mucus in Stool?
Normal stools are brown. If you notice blood on the toilet tissue after wiping or see that you have passed black or red stools, it might be a symptom of a medical problem that should be discussed with your doctor.
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Causes
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According to the National Institutes of Health, a number of problems can cause blood mucus in stools, some more severe than others. These problems include bleeding in the digestive system, hemorrhoids, splits in the skin of the anus and rectal cancer.
Diagnosis
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The doctor can perform several tests to find out what is causing the bloody stools, including a physical examination, a blood test or a colonoscopy.
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Treatment
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While treatment varies by the problem causing the bloody stools, you may need to be admitted to the hospital to receive a blood transfusion or other treatments, depending on how severely you are bleeding.
Prevention
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There are some things you can do to help prevent the problems that cause blood mucus in your stools. According to the NIH, you should eat foods rich in fiber, avoid excessive use of anti-inflammatory medications and drink in moderation.
Considerations
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Stools with bright red blood indicate a problem in the large intestine or anus. Stools black with blood mean there is a problem with the esophagus or stomach.
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