Should I Increase Fiber Intake To Avoid Bleeding During Bowel Movements?

Posted on Fri, 20 Sep 2024

Question: Hey doctor,

In the last two stool movements I have noticed some of the stool bits have been red almost bloody, I have attached an image with an example of this where you can see the stool on the left side is red compared to the other stools. I have also been having some lower bowel pain near my pelvic area too leading up to doing a poo. I actually had a colonoscopy and endoscopy last year in October for ongoing stomach issues and they came out completely clear I have attached an image of it. I have never had Red looking stools though until now so this is a new symptom to me that’s happened in the last two days for some reason, should I maybe try and up my fibre? The only other thing I have been on the last couple of weeks is Thorne 15mg Zinc once daily supplements and Nutrtiotion Care Gut Relief once daily (XXXX) but I have actually had the gut Relief the last 3 days so I am unsure if it’s a result of that? What would you advice I do?

Kind Regards.

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (50 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Stool for occult blood test to be done.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Thanks for query.

There are a few things to consider when a person says he has blood in the stool.

I have seen the photo of stool attached by you though a reddish tinge is there yet we can't be sure that its blood only.The first thing for me to know is if it is really blood. There are some food and industrial chemicals that might be in stool and give the impression it is blood and in fact, it is not. Unless it bright red blood (which is clear that it is blood). Other times the way to know if you are bleeding or not is having a stool occult blood test or a stool microscopy that will confirm the presence of blood with the stools.

You are just in early twenties with normal colonoscopy a year back.

I would initially suggest you to go for a test called stool for occult blood.

Any suggestion or advice would be there only if this test is positive.

Lastly do you have constipation? As tight stool may some time erode normal mucosa of rectum due to straining and may cause bleeding.

Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Ramesh Kumar (1 hour later)

Yes I’m pretty sure I’ve got constipation not so much in the consistency because I am still going every day but I’ve had bad pain every time I do a bowel movement in my lower pelvic/adominal area specifically if that were the case could that be the cause possibly? The bowel pain actually hurts quite a bit but it’s only been the last couple of days that it has and it’s off and on my diet the last 3-4 days wasn’t the best because of the long week but before that and at the moment as well I’ve been sticking to mainly vegetables and meat with minimal bread as that seems to upset my stomach and cause pain. What could I do to help the bowel pain would it be wise maybe trying to get extra fibre if so in the form of supplements or certain foods?

My stools have also been little ball shaped the last few days instead of the usual sausage size.

My colonoscopy was only 3 months ago as well so it really wasn’t that long ago at all so I assume it’s nothing super serious I just want some ways to manage the bowel pain mainly and improve these current symptoms. What do you think of that gut Relief powder that I linked and the zinc as well?

Answered by Dr. Ramesh Kumar (15 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up.

Detailed Answer:

Hi,

Shape of your stools is suggestive of less amount of fibers in your diet.

You just need to add a fiber supplement and a stool softener like Lactulose for few days to make your stools soft and easy to pass to prevent erosion of mucosa.

This problem is not related to that powder.

I hope it helps!

Take care.

Dr. Ramesh Kumar, Gastroenterologist

Note: For further follow up on digestive issues share your reports here and Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad