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What Causes Blood In Stool?
Posted on
Sat, 7 Mar 2015
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sat, 7 Mar 2015
Answered on
Fri, 27 Mar 2015
Last reviewed on
Question : My wife had blood in her last stool,it appeared on the toilet paper.She is 53 years old.What
is going on could she have hemoriods.Thank you XXXXXXX
is going on could she have hemoriods.Thank you XXXXXXX
Brief Answer:
hemorrhoids common but if no recent tests then need to rule out other cause
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Bright red blood seen on wiping is most commonly related to hemorrhoids so it is possible this is the cause but other conditions would still have to be ruled out before giving this as the final diagnosis.
If she's had a recent colonoscopy, barium enema or sigmoidoscopy (tests that would have taken a look at the colon) then no other investigations would be needed.
If there is no history of recent screening tests then she should consider having one of these done.
Other causes of blood in the stool are: (1) diverticular disease
(2)benign (non cancerous) polyps in the colon
(3)trauma to the colon
(4)colon cancer
(5)side effect of medication such as anti coagulants, aspirin etc
(6)inflammatory bowel disease
(7)infection
If the bleeding is related to hemorrhoids, the treatment for this acute presentation would be: (1)avoid straining with bowel movements
(2)high fiber diet
(3)sitz baths for 10 to 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day in warm (not hot ) water with table salt or epsom salt would help
(4)oral pain killers would help relieve discomfort
(5)topical steroids would help with inflammation and itching
Summary: (1) hemorrhoids are a common cause of blood on wiping but if no recent screening then other causes need to be ruled out as well
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
hemorrhoids common but if no recent tests then need to rule out other cause
Detailed Answer:
HI, thanks for using healthcare magic
Bright red blood seen on wiping is most commonly related to hemorrhoids so it is possible this is the cause but other conditions would still have to be ruled out before giving this as the final diagnosis.
If she's had a recent colonoscopy, barium enema or sigmoidoscopy (tests that would have taken a look at the colon) then no other investigations would be needed.
If there is no history of recent screening tests then she should consider having one of these done.
Other causes of blood in the stool are: (1) diverticular disease
(2)benign (non cancerous) polyps in the colon
(3)trauma to the colon
(4)colon cancer
(5)side effect of medication such as anti coagulants, aspirin etc
(6)inflammatory bowel disease
(7)infection
If the bleeding is related to hemorrhoids, the treatment for this acute presentation would be: (1)avoid straining with bowel movements
(2)high fiber diet
(3)sitz baths for 10 to 20 minutes, 2 to 3 times a day in warm (not hot ) water with table salt or epsom salt would help
(4)oral pain killers would help relieve discomfort
(5)topical steroids would help with inflammation and itching
Summary: (1) hemorrhoids are a common cause of blood on wiping but if no recent screening then other causes need to be ruled out as well
I hope this helps, feel free to ask any other questions
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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