Suggest Treatment For Blood In Stool Along With Persistent Flatulence

Posted on Mon, 9 Feb 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Mon, 9 Feb 2015 Answered on

Thu, 12 Mar 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : My 58 y.o. Male friend has had bloody stool(mostly dark), occasionally bright red, accompanied by persistent flatulence. The flatulence occurs even without the bloody stool. However, no cramping and no loose stools. But he does have frequent bowel movements (4-5 per day).
He eats meat, a half cup of coffee/day, popcorn, raw fruit, and drinks Snapple. He won't go to the doctor. This has been going on for months. Any ideas?

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Considerations

Detailed Answer:
thanks for sending the question.

These symptoms are very concerning for possible gastrointestinal bleeding. This can be related to inflammatory bowel disease or can sometimes be related to colon cancer.

For these reasons I think your friend needs to see his doctor soon as possible. He may need a colonoscopy or upper endoscopy or possibly both procedures to investigate a possible source of blood loss.

thank you for sharing your concern. Please urge your friend to see his doctor to have this investigated.

Sincerely,

Dr. Galamaga

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Robert Galamaga (5 minutes later)

He is marginally self employed without insurance so doesn't have access to a physician or the usual diagnostic tests even though he is aware of the risks. What dietary changes might he try to lower the risk of continued irritation of his colon?

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (16 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up

Detailed Answer:
honestly he needs to be checked out regardless of his financial situation. There are resources within most local county governments that provide care for patients who do not have insurance. Also Medicaid might be available for him.

Regarding diet we would generally recommend a died that is high in fiber and low in saturated fat.

You might also contact the local social services department to see if they have any suggestions regarding how he can see a physician to have this problem evaluated.

Sincerely,

Dr. Galamaga

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Robert Galamaga (8 minutes later)

Agreed on finding a solution within his economic constraints. As for your diet suggestion, he is finding such things as apples, salads and other raw foods quite hard to digest and more flatulence-producing. What about a "white diet" : bread, rice, potatoes. Is that the wrong direction?

Answered by Dr. Robert Galamaga (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Suggestions

Detailed Answer:
you could try the white diet for now. I am very concerned about the symptoms he is having and I'm glad that you are involved and hopefully you can help him get evaluated sometime very soon.

I would experiment a little bit with food to see what he can tolerate best. Hopefully he can maintain good nutrition through this.

Thanks again.

Dr. Galamaga

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar