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What is rectal bleeding?Rectal bleeding means bleeding from your back passage (anus) when you go to the toilet and pass faeces (poo). Show
When should I go to the emergency department?You should always have bleeding from the anus checked out by a doctor as it could be a sign of something serious. Seek urgent medical attention if:
FIND A HEALTH SERVICE — Our Service Finder can help you find doctors, pharmacies, hospitals and other health services. What are the symptoms of rectal bleeding?The colour of your blood can indicate where in the gastrointestinal system the bleeding is coming from. For example, fresh, bright red blood can show the bleeding is coming from lower in the bowel, nearer to the back passage, which may be a sign of haemorrhoids or fissures. Bleeding in your large intestine (colon) may be fresh red or a darker red and mixed in with your faeces. One of the causes can be polyps, which are growths on the intestinal wall. Polyps are usually harmless, but some types can turn into bowel cancer. Faeces that are black, like tar, and that have a very bad smell may suggest a problem higher up in the gastrointestinal system — for example, in the stomach or duodenum — such as a bleeding ulcer. CHECK YOUR SYMPTOMS — Use our blood in stool and rectal problems Symptom Checker and find out if you need to seek medical help. What causes rectal bleeding?There are lots of possible causes for rectal bleeding. Common causes include:
Less common causes include:
When should I see a doctor?Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have rectal bleeding that lasts more than 1 or 2 days, or earlier if the bleeding worries you. Most people who have rectal bleeding don't have cancer or another serious illness, but it's important to have it checked out. How is rectal bleeding diagnosed?The tests for rectal bleeding depend on your age, symptoms and medical history. Your doctor will talk to you and examine you, and might want to look inside your rectum and bowel. You might also need tests, including:
Some of these tests are done under sedation and anaesthetic. Ask your doctor for more information. How is rectal bleeding treated?Treatment will depend on what is causing the rectal bleeding. For some problems, the treatment could be to make changes to your lifestyle or diet. Haemorrhoids often settle down quickly after a few days and do not require any special treatment. If your haemorrhoids are causing you pain or discomfort, ask your doctor or chemist about medicated creams or ointments that may ease your symptoms. If your haemorrhoids keep coming back, you can talk to your doctor about the possibility of surgical treatment. Treatment for anal fissures can involve botox injections or surgery. Can I manage or prevent rectal bleeding?If you have rectal bleeding, there are a number of things you can do to help manage the condition. If you have constipation causing haemorrhoids, you can help ease it by:
If your doctor has confirmed that you have an anal fissure, you can ease the discomfort by:
Do not apply creams and lotions to the area that were not prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist because this can cause more trauma. Suspicion of deliberate harmIf there is any suspicion that rectal bleeding is not the result of an anal condition but is due to an injury inflicted on purpose, you should seek help from a healthcare professional as soon as possible. This could be from a nurse or doctor at a hospital emergency department, or a doctor’s surgery, or a health visitor or school nurse. When should I be concerned about dark blood in my stool?If you are experiencing bloody stools or bleeding from a bowel movement, you may need to see a doctor. Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing fever, excessive weakness, vomiting, or seeing large amounts of blood in your stool.
What does cancerous blood in stool look like?Blood from higher up in the bowel doesn't look bright red. It goes dark red or black and can make your poo look like tar. This type of bleeding can be a sign of cancer higher up the bowel.
What color of blood in stool is concerning?If your stool is bright red or black — which may indicate the presence of blood — seek prompt medical attention. Food may be moving through the large intestine too quickly, such as due to diarrhea. As a result, bile doesn't have time to break down completely.
How do you know if blood in stool is serious?Bright red blood or maroon-colored stools usually indicate a problem in the lower part of the digestive tract such as hemorrhoids or diverticulitis. After getting a medical history and doing a physical exam, the health care provider may order tests to determine the cause of bleeding.
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