BACK TOTOP Browse A-ZSearchBrowse A-ZABCDEFGHIJKLMNOPQRSTUVWXYZ0-9 E-mail FormEmail ResultsName:Email address:Recipients Name:Recipients address:Message: Print-FriendlyBookmarksbookmarks-menuRectal bleedingRectal bleeding; Blood in the stool; Hematochezia; Lower gastrointestinal bleedingRectal bleeding is when blood passes from the rectum or anus. Bleeding may be noted on the stool or be seen as blood on toilet paper or in the toilet. The blood may be bright red. The term "hematochezia" is used to describe this finding. Considerations The color of the blood in the stools may indicate the source of bleeding.Black or tarry stools may be due to bleeding in the upper part of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, such as the esophagus, stomach, or the first part of the small intestine. In this case, blood is most often darker because it gets digested on its way through the GI tract. Much less commonly, this type of bleeding can be brisk enough to present with bright red rectal bleeding.Black or tarry stoolsBlack or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bleeding from the rectum may also be red or fresh. This usually means that the source of bleeding is the lower GI tract (colon and rectum).Eating beets or foods with red food coloring can sometimes make stools appear reddish. In these cases, your doctor can test the stool with a chemical to rule out the presence of blood. Causes Rectal bleeding causes include:Anal fissure (a cut or a tear in the anal lining, often caused by straining hard, hard stools or frequent diarrhea). It may cause sudden onset of rectal bleeding. There is most often pain at the anal opening. Anal fissureAn anal fissure is a small split or tear in the thin moist tissue (mucosa) lining the lower rectum (anus).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hemorrhoids, a common cause of bright red blood. They may or may not be painful. HemorrhoidsHemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus or lower part of the rectum.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Proctitis (inflammation or swelling of the rectum and anus). ProctitisProctitis is an inflammation of the rectum. It can cause discomfort, bleeding, and the discharge of mucus or pus.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rectal prolapse (rectum protrudes from the anus). Rectal prolapseRectal prolapse occurs when the rectum sags and comes through the anal opening.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Trauma or foreign body. Colorectal polyps. Colon, rectal, or anal cancer. Ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infection in the intestines. Infection in the intestinesBacterial gastroenteritis occurs when there is a bacterial infection of your stomach or intestines.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diverticulosis (abnormal pouches in the colon). DiverticulosisDiverticula are small, bulging sacs or pouches that form on the inner wall of the intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflame...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if there is:Fresh blood in your stools A change in the color of your stools Pain in the anal area while sitting or passing stools Incontinence or lack of control over passage of stools Unexplained weight loss Drop in blood pressure that causes dizziness or faintingYou should see your provider and have an exam, even if you think that hemorrhoids are causing the blood in your stool.In children, a small amount of blood in the stool is most often not serious. The most common cause is constipation. You should still tell your child's provider if you notice this problem. What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will take a medical history and perform a physical exam. The exam will focus on your abdomen and rectum.You may be asked the following questions:Have you had any trauma to the abdomen or rectum? Have you had more than one episode of blood in your stool? Is every stool this way? Have you lost any weight recently? Is there blood on the toilet paper only? What color is the stool? When did the problem develop? What other symptoms are present (abdominal pain, vomiting blood, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, or fever?You may need to have one or more exams or tests to look for the cause:Digital rectal exam. Digital rectal examA digital rectal exam is an exam of the lower rectum. Your health care provider uses a gloved, lubricated finger to check for any abnormal findings....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Anoscopy. Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to look inside your colon using a camera at the end of a thin tube to find or treat the source of bleeding may be needed. ColonoscopyA colonoscopy is an exam that views the inside of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, using a tool called a colonoscope. The colonoscope has a sm...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Angiography. AngiographyMesenteric angiography is a test used to look at the blood vessels that supply the small and large intestines. Angiography is an imaging test that us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bleeding scan.Bleeding scanAn RBC nuclear scan uses small amounts of radioactive material to mark (tag) red blood cells (RBCs). Your body is then scanned to see the cells and ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article You may have one or more lab tests before, including:Complete blood count (CBC) Complete blood count (CBC)A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Serum chemistries Serum chemistriesElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Clotting studies Stool cultureStool cultureA fecal culture is a lab test to find organisms in the stool (feces) that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesDeGeorge LM, Nable JV. Gastrointestinal bleeding. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 26.Kaplan GG, Ng SC. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 115.Kwaan MR. Hemorrhoids, anal fissure, and anorectal abscess and fistula. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2022. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:219-222.Lamps LW. Anus. In: Goldblum JR, Lamps LW, McKenney JK, Myers JL, eds. Rosai and Ackerman's Surgical Pathology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 18.Swartz MH. The abdomen. In: Swartz MH, ed. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 17.AllVideoImagesTogAnal fissure - seriesPresentation Hemorrhoids - illustration The most common causes of hemorrhoids are straining at bowel movements, prolonged sitting and pregnancy. Internal hemorrhoids occur above the anal sphincter, and external hemorrhoids occur below, outside the anal canal.HemorrhoidsillustrationColonoscopy - illustration There are 3 basic tests for colon cancer; a stool test (to check for blood), sigmoidoscopy (inspection of the lower colon), and colonoscopy (inspection of the entire colon). All 3 are effective in catching cancers in the early stages, when treatment is most beneficial.Colonoscopyillustration Anal fissure - seriesPresentation Hemorrhoids - illustration The most common causes of hemorrhoids are straining at bowel movements, prolonged sitting and pregnancy. Internal hemorrhoids occur above the anal sphincter, and external hemorrhoids occur below, outside the anal canal.HemorrhoidsillustrationColonoscopy - illustration There are 3 basic tests for colon cancer; a stool test (to check for blood), sigmoidoscopy (inspection of the lower colon), and colonoscopy (inspection of the entire colon). All 3 are effective in catching cancers in the early stages, when treatment is most beneficial.ColonoscopyillustrationSelf Care Bleeding during cancer treatment Tests for Rectal bleeding SigmoidoscopyRectal biopsyDigital rectal examRelated Information Review Date: 5/6/2022 Reviewed By: Michael M. Phillips, MD, Emeritus Professor of Medicine, The George Washington University School of Medicine, Washington, DC. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team. The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. No warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, is made as to the accuracy, reliability, timeliness, or correctness of any translations made by a third-party service of the information provided herein into any other language. © 1997- A.D.A.M., a business unit of Ebix, Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. © 1997- All rights reserved. A.D.A.M. content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.Content is best viewed in IE9 or above, Firefox and Google Chrome browser.
Rectal bleedingRectal bleeding; Blood in the stool; Hematochezia; Lower gastrointestinal bleedingRectal bleeding is when blood passes from the rectum or anus. Bleeding may be noted on the stool or be seen as blood on toilet paper or in the toilet. The blood may be bright red. The term "hematochezia" is used to describe this finding. Considerations The color of the blood in the stools may indicate the source of bleeding.Black or tarry stools may be due to bleeding in the upper part of the GI (gastrointestinal) tract, such as the esophagus, stomach, or the first part of the small intestine. In this case, blood is most often darker because it gets digested on its way through the GI tract. Much less commonly, this type of bleeding can be brisk enough to present with bright red rectal bleeding.Black or tarry stoolsBlack or tarry stools with a foul smell are a sign of a problem in the upper digestive tract. It most often indicates that there is bleeding in the ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bleeding from the rectum may also be red or fresh. This usually means that the source of bleeding is the lower GI tract (colon and rectum).Eating beets or foods with red food coloring can sometimes make stools appear reddish. In these cases, your doctor can test the stool with a chemical to rule out the presence of blood. Causes Rectal bleeding causes include:Anal fissure (a cut or a tear in the anal lining, often caused by straining hard, hard stools or frequent diarrhea). It may cause sudden onset of rectal bleeding. There is most often pain at the anal opening. Anal fissureAn anal fissure is a small split or tear in the thin moist tissue (mucosa) lining the lower rectum (anus).ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Hemorrhoids, a common cause of bright red blood. They may or may not be painful. HemorrhoidsHemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus or lower part of the rectum.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Proctitis (inflammation or swelling of the rectum and anus). ProctitisProctitis is an inflammation of the rectum. It can cause discomfort, bleeding, and the discharge of mucus or pus.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Rectal prolapse (rectum protrudes from the anus). Rectal prolapseRectal prolapse occurs when the rectum sags and comes through the anal opening.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Trauma or foreign body. Colorectal polyps. Colon, rectal, or anal cancer. Ulcerative colitis. Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitis is a condition in which the lining of the large intestine (colon) and rectum become inflamed. It is a form of inflammatory bowel ...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Infection in the intestines. Infection in the intestinesBacterial gastroenteritis occurs when there is a bacterial infection of your stomach or intestines.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Diverticulosis (abnormal pouches in the colon). DiverticulosisDiverticula are small, bulging sacs or pouches that form on the inner wall of the intestine. Diverticulitis occurs when these pouches become inflame...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article When to Contact a Medical Professional Contact your health care provider if there is:Fresh blood in your stools A change in the color of your stools Pain in the anal area while sitting or passing stools Incontinence or lack of control over passage of stools Unexplained weight loss Drop in blood pressure that causes dizziness or faintingYou should see your provider and have an exam, even if you think that hemorrhoids are causing the blood in your stool.In children, a small amount of blood in the stool is most often not serious. The most common cause is constipation. You should still tell your child's provider if you notice this problem. What to Expect at Your Office Visit Your provider will take a medical history and perform a physical exam. The exam will focus on your abdomen and rectum.You may be asked the following questions:Have you had any trauma to the abdomen or rectum? Have you had more than one episode of blood in your stool? Is every stool this way? Have you lost any weight recently? Is there blood on the toilet paper only? What color is the stool? When did the problem develop? What other symptoms are present (abdominal pain, vomiting blood, bloating, excessive gas, diarrhea, or fever?You may need to have one or more exams or tests to look for the cause:Digital rectal exam. Digital rectal examA digital rectal exam is an exam of the lower rectum. Your health care provider uses a gloved, lubricated finger to check for any abnormal findings....ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Anoscopy. Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to look inside your colon using a camera at the end of a thin tube to find or treat the source of bleeding may be needed. ColonoscopyA colonoscopy is an exam that views the inside of the colon (large intestine) and rectum, using a tool called a colonoscope. The colonoscope has a sm...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Angiography. AngiographyMesenteric angiography is a test used to look at the blood vessels that supply the small and large intestines. Angiography is an imaging test that us...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Bleeding scan.Bleeding scanAn RBC nuclear scan uses small amounts of radioactive material to mark (tag) red blood cells (RBCs). Your body is then scanned to see the cells and ...Read Article Now Book Mark Article You may have one or more lab tests before, including:Complete blood count (CBC) Complete blood count (CBC)A complete blood count (CBC) test measures the following:The number of white blood cells (WBC count)The number of red blood cells (RBC count)The numb...ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Serum chemistries Serum chemistriesElectrolytes are minerals in your blood and other body fluids that carry an electric charge. Electrolytes affect how your body functions in many ways...Read Article Now Book Mark Article Clotting studies Stool cultureStool cultureA fecal culture is a lab test to find organisms in the stool (feces) that can cause gastrointestinal symptoms and disease.ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article Open ReferencesReferencesDeGeorge LM, Nable JV. Gastrointestinal bleeding. In: Walls RM, ed. Rosen's Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 10th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 26.Kaplan GG, Ng SC. Epidemiology, pathogenesis, and diagnosis of inflammatory bowel diseases. In: Feldman M, Friedman LS, Brandt LJ, eds. Sleisenger and Fordtran's Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 115.Kwaan MR. Hemorrhoids, anal fissure, and anorectal abscess and fistula. In: Kellerman RD, Rakel DP, eds. Conn's Current Therapy 2022. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2022:219-222.Lamps LW. Anus. In: Goldblum JR, Lamps LW, McKenney JK, Myers JL, eds. Rosai and Ackerman's Surgical Pathology. 11th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2018:chap 18.Swartz MH. The abdomen. In: Swartz MH, ed. Textbook of Physical Diagnosis: History and Examination. 8th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2021:chap 17.