Can staying up late and internal heat (fire) cause rectal bleeding?
Disease description:
Recently, I've been staying up late frequently, and I feel that I've developed excessive internal heat (a traditional Chinese medicine concept referring to bodily imbalance), with mouth ulcers and a sore throat. Today, I noticed blood in my stool when using the restroom, which startled me. Could this be caused by staying up late and excessive internal heat?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Shen Yonghua
In general, staying up late and internal heat accumulation may lead to rectal bleeding.
Staying up late can decrease the body's immunity, making it more susceptible to various diseases. At the same time, long-term late nights and irregular lifestyles may cause imbalance in the intestinal flora and reduce the barrier function of the intestinal mucosa, making the intestines more prone to irritation and injury. Moreover, staying up late and internal heat accumulation may also trigger or worsen diseases such as hemorrhoids and anal fissures, which are common causes of rectal bleeding.
In addition, staying up late and internal heat accumulation may indirectly lead to gastrointestinal problems by affecting eating habits and increasing stress responses. For example, high-fat and high-calorie foods might be consumed during late-night hours to replenish energy, but these foods are difficult to digest and may increase the burden on the gastrointestinal tract. Furthermore, staying up late and mental stress can affect gastrointestinal motility, leading to constipation or diarrhea, thereby increasing the risk of rectal bleeding.
In daily life, it is recommended to maintain a regular schedule, avoid staying up late and excessive fatigue, to prevent rectal bleeding. At the same time, maintain a light diet and avoid excessive intake of spicy, greasy, and other irritating foods.
