What causes blood on the toilet paper after a bowel movement?
Under normal circumstances, blood on toilet paper after bowel movements may be caused by anal skin damage, dietary irritation, dry intestines, internal hemorrhoids, anal fissures, etc. It is recommended to seek medical attention promptly and receive symptomatic treatment under a doctor's guidance. Specific analysis is as follows:
1. Anal Skin Damage
Excessive straining during defecation or using rough toilet paper may cause abrasions to the anal skin, resulting in small amounts of fresh blood when wiping after bowel movements. Using soft toilet paper and avoiding excessive force can help prevent this.
2. Dietary Irritation
Consuming excessive coarse fiber or spicy foods may irritate the intestinal mucosa, leading to slight traces of blood on toilet paper after defecation. Adjusting the diet by reducing spicy and irritating foods and maintaining smooth bowel movements is recommended.
3. Intestinal Dryness
Insufficient water intake or inadequate dietary fiber can lead to dry stools, which may injure the anus during bowel movements, causing bloodstains when wiping. Increasing daily fluid intake and consuming more fiber-rich foods is advisable.
4. Internal Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids are often triggered by prolonged sitting or standing, constipation, and other factors. Rupture of hemorrhoids can cause bleeding, presenting as blood on toilet paper after bowel movements, possibly accompanied by anal itching or pain. Patients are advised to use medications such as Ma Yinglong Musk Hemorrhoid Ointment, Gangtai Ointment, or Huaijiao Pills according to medical instructions to relieve symptoms.
5. Anal Fissure
Anal fissures refer to full-thickness longitudinal tears in the anal canal lining, forming small ulcers, commonly caused by constipation or hard stools. Passing dry, hard stool through the fissure during defecation causes pain and bleeding, manifesting as blood on toilet paper after bowel movements, often accompanied by severe pain and constipation. Patients may use medications such as Erythromycin Ointment, Mahuang Runzhang Pills, or Recombinant Human Epidermal Growth Factor Gel under medical supervision.
In daily life, it is important to maintain a balanced diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, increase intake of high-fiber foods, maintain regular bowel movements, and reduce prolonged sitting or standing to prevent blood on toilet paper after bowel movements.