What does Hematochezia (Blood in Stool) Indicate?

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What does Hematochezia (Blood in
Stool) Indicate?
By DiseaseFix
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What is Hematochezia?
Hematochezia is the passage of bright red blood
in stool, usually from the lower gastrointestinal
tract (the colon or rectum) or from hemorrhoids.
The term hematochezia is not used very
commonly. "Bright red blood in the stool" is a
more widely used and understood term for the
condition.
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Is blood in stool always serious?
Blood in stool can be a serious problem, but it
doesn't always have to be. These slides present
information briefly about what you should know
about the possible causes of hematochezia and
what you should do if you find it.
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Causes of blood in stool

• The possible causes of hematochezia (blood in
  stool) are
• It indicates there is bleeding somewhere in your
  digestive tract
• Diverticulitis Diverticula are small pockets
  that grow from the colon wall
• Anal fissure A small tear in the tissue lining
  the anus
• Polyps or cancer can also be a reason for the
  bloody stools
•  Varicose veins of the esophagus 
• Tears in the esophagus can cause severe blood
  loss 

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Causes of blood in stool (cont.)

• Ulcers ulcers in the lining of the stomach or
  duodenum
• Angiodysplasia is a condition that can cause
  blood in stools due to abnormal blood vessels
• Inflammation of the colon such as due to
  infection or inflammatory colitis
• Chrohns disease
• Hemorrhoids (piles). Read about symptoms of
  hemorrhoids
• Abnormalities of the gut

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What you should do if you notice blood in stool?

• See a doctor thats the first thing. Do not
  self-diagnose
• If the bleeding is heavy, or if you have black-
  or plum-coloured faeces (melaena), meet a doctor
  immediately or call an ambulance.
• If you feel dizzy or feel unwell, call an
  ambulance. This may be due to heavy bleeding.

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What you should do if you notice blood in stool?
(cont.)

• In most cases, the bleeding is mild and not due
  to some serious complications.
• If the bleeding is low or mild, make an
  appointment with your doctor soon.
• People often self-diagnose bleeding as due to
  hemorrhoids and do not get it investigated
  further by a doctor.
• Haemorrhoids are the most common cause of rectal
  bleeding but is not the only reason. 

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What tests might be advised by your doctor?

• Colonoscopy
• Sigmoidoscopy
• CT colonography
• Blood tests

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What treatments your doctor will prescribe?
Treatment depends on the actual cause of the
condition. If this is due to anal fissures or
tears, you will receive medication and it will
improve in a few days. If the reason is
hemorrhoids, medical and/or surgery will be
recommended depending on the condition. If it is
due to more serious condition such as cancer, a
specialized treatment for the condition or
disease will be delivered.
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