Suggest Treatment For Rectal Bleeding In An Elderly Person

Posted on Mon, 18 Jul 2016

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

Mon, 18 Jul 2016 Answered on

Tue, 16 Aug 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : What can I do about rectal bleeding caused by straining on a hard dry stool? 87 year old male .

Answered by Dr. T Chandrakant (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
As explained

Detailed Answer:
Hi.
Thanks for your query, albeit short and specific.
Noted history of bleeding on passing hard dry stool.
The probable causes would be:
- Anal fissure: always with pain
- Hemorrhoids: the rectal bleeding is painless

Confirmation can be done by clinical exam, particularly per-rectal digital examination and proctoscopy if there is no pain
Suitable laxative to keep stool soft.
Fiber diet with lots of water. If required Isabgol husk.
Sitz bath in a tub with warm water to sooth the anal congestion.
If the X-ray shows lots of fecoliths, enema may be required.
Final diagnosis will decide further management.
I hope this answer helps you.
Please feel free to ask for any further queries if you feel that there is a gap of communication.

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