What could be the cause of blood in the stool?
Disease description:
I haven't had any heatiness recently, nor have I experienced constipation or diarrhea; my bowel movements have generally been normal. I would like to ask, what could be the possible causes of blood in the stool?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
Hematochezia is a common symptom of the digestive system, and its causes can mainly be categorized into the following groups:
1. Anorectal diseases: such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and rectal polyps. These often present with bright red blood in the stool, dripping during or after defecation, and not mixed with the feces.
2. Tumors: benign or malignant intestinal tumors, such as colonic polyps and colon cancer, may cause blood in the stool. Malignant tumors may also be accompanied by systemic symptoms such as low-grade fever and weight loss.
3. Small intestinal diseases: such as small intestinal tumors or vascular malformations. The blood appears dark red, often presenting as black tarry stools (melena), which results from blood remaining in the gastrointestinal tract for an extended period and being acted upon by digestive enzymes.
4. Gastric and duodenal diseases: such as gastric ulcers, gastric cancer, and duodenal ulcers. These primarily present with black tarry stools, and severe cases may involve hematemesis (vomiting blood).
5. Other factors: certain professional groups such as long-distance runners or endurance athletes may experience hematochezia due to internal organ impact or vibration within the abdominal cavity.
Patients experiencing hematochezia should seek timely medical attention for thorough evaluation and appropriate treatment.
