Blood from the rectum: what to look for

Bleeding from the rectum is also called anal. It is characterized by the appearance of blood from the anus and is observed most often in the act of defecation. Blood from the rectum immediately attracts attention. Its appearance should serve as an excuse for contacting a doctor, because the flow of blood in this case can serve as a symptom of various diseases - from hemorrhoids to rectal cancer. In any case, the doctor should make conclusions about the disease and the methods of treatment.

The nature of bleeding from the rectum may be mild, moderate or severe. Weak bleeding is characterized by the flow of a few drops of blood, not accompanied by pain. With mild bleeding, patients complain of dark red rare blood clots that go with the feces.

In cases of severe bleeding, bowel movements are observed with large amounts of blood;this can lead to a lot of blood loss, which leads, in turn, to loss of consciousness, lowering of blood pressure, weakness. With heavy bleeding, shock can occur. Along with bleeding, patients often experience rapid fatigue, drowsiness, pale skin and mucous membranes, profuse sweating, tinnitus, frequent dizziness.

For the treatment of mild and severe bleeding, you must always go to the hospital - patients with blood loss often need a blood transfusion.

Causes of bleeding from the bowel

1. Hemorrhoids. Usually the blood appears after defecation. The color of blood is scarlet, blood is not mixed with feces. Bleeding in this case can be profuse or moderate for a long time, which often leads to anemia.
2. Anal fissure. Blood from the rectum goes in small portions, is observed after defecation, accompanied by burning sensations of burning immediately after the stool. Blood can be on top of stool or on toilet paper. With feces is not mixed.
3. Proctitis. Ulceration of the rectal mucosa followed by inflammation. Blood is accompanied by mucus, mixed with feces.
4. Polyps. The amount of bleeding depends on the location and size of the polyp, and can be as weak or plentiful. In most cases, the blood is mixed with feces.
5. Rectal cancer. Bleeding in this case is similar to bleeding from the rectum in the formation of polyps.
6. Colitis. This disease causes inflammation and ulceration in any part of the digestive tract, most often in the large intestine. The appearance of colitis is indicated by a loose stool with blood and mucus.
7. Gastric ulcer and duodenal ulcer. Accompanied by heavy bleeding at the same time with the allocation of tarry stool( so-called meren).The first sign of this disease is vomiting blood. There can be a collapse.
8. Gastritis of any kind. There is heavy bleeding. The chair is decorated.
9. Diverticulosis - the formation of diverticulum( pockets and protrusions on the intestinal mucosa).Diverticula are formed in the location of blood vessels in the wall of the bowel. When they are injured at the time of defecation, feces are excreted mixed with blood.
10. Various systemic diseases.

Pathological changes in the gastrointestinal tract, which appear on the background of other diseases, also lead to bleeding. For example, in the last trimester of pregnancy and several weeks after birth, women often complain of mild bleeding from the anus. It is caused usually by hemorrhoids, which occurs in the anal canal connecting the rectum and anus.

This phenomenon is associated with a change in the position of the internal organs during pregnancy and disappears when the woman's body recovers from childbirth. Blood from the rectum in women is often observed with menstruation, in these cases it is a symptom of endometriosis.

Treatment of this disease

When bleeding from the rectum, it is very important to consult a doctor. The examination during treatment includes examination, rectal examination and colonoscopy. It is necessary to notify the doctor about the phenomena accompanying a bleeding: presence and character of a pain, a consistence of a chair, a constipation. The presence of false desires, a feeling of incomplete emptying, the presence of tumorous formations, which are found during palpation, indicate that the disease is in the rectum.

In case of bleeding from the rectum, you can not get up, walk or sit, as there is a flow of blood to the pelvic veins, which contributes to the intensification or resumption of bleeding. Do not take spicy or fatty foods or alcohol. The patient should be placed on the bed or sofa in a horizontal position. Treatment of bleeding from the rectum can not be performed independently, it is necessary to call a doctor or an ambulance.

Before the arrival of a doctor, a strict bed rest is recommended to the patient. Lying on the side. A cold should be applied to the perineum: an ice pack or ice cube wrapped in polyethylene. You can use a hot water bottle with cold water poured into it. Cold helps to narrow the vessels of the perineum and stop bleeding. Ice is kept at the crotch for 10-15 minutes, then it is removed for 5 minutes, then a new portion is applied or water is changed in the heating pad.

The cooling procedure must be carried out for at least an hour.