Bloody [(the adjective, not the expletive)|(adjective, not expletive)|(not the expletive but the adjective)] [aptly|best|appropriately|pertinently|suitably] [characterizes|describes|depicts|exemplifies] bowel movement bleeding. Bright red spots of blood drip into the toilet bowl or down the legs. Red blood oozes from the surface of stools. Bright red scarlet blood stains toilet tissue. Heartbeats may skip in alarm. What is going on?
Overcome any panic that is building up by reading on about any of the 6 possible reasons that could be behind the hemorrhaging (technical word for bleeding). Irksome to our daily lives but life-threatening the 6 causes are not if they are treated correctly in a timely manner. Nevertheless, complacency will be a mistake. Intently monitor. If bleeding continues over a couple of weeks, and especially if there is persistent pain, visit a medical doctor immediately.
Accurate diagnosis can identify the precise cause to facilitate administration of appropriate treatment to solve the problem. More [alarmingly|critically|gravely|dangerously|perilously], bowel movement bleeding may be [the result of|the consequence of|caused by|a symptom of] some [type|form|class] of cancer.
Hematochezia or Melena
Rectal bleeding is classified medically as melena (tarry or sticky black colored stools) or hematochezia (maroon colored or bright red blood). Proctitis, anorectal fistulae, anal fissures, rectal prolapse, internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids are the 6 causes of the bleeding, described as rectal as the rectum is where blood exits the body.
Proctitis
Proctitis is classified as an inflammatory bowel disease, a group of inflammatory conditions of the small intestine and the large intestine (colon). Injury to body tissues triggers the positive healing functions of inflammation. But if not ceased upon curing the wounded tissue, inflammation becomes the cause of further tissue injury. Rectal proctitis is caused by ulcers which are erosion of the mucous membrane lining.
Among other symptoms, bowel movement bleeding is [a frequent feature|commonly encountered|a common encounter|a frequent occurrence]. Proctitis as the cause of rectal bleeding must be eliminated as it can lead to perforation of the rectum if left untreated.
Anorectal Fistulae
This is an unnatural tunnel between two or more unconnected internal organs. All too often, it tunnels all the way to break out of nearby skin surface. An anorectal fissure opens out at the anal surface. Frequently, urine and stools are expelled out of this fistula.
Anorectal fistulae are the product of of inflammatory bowel diseases like ulcerative proctitis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. [Quite apart from|Aside from|Apart from|Other than] infection pus, bowel movement bleeding is also one of the symptoms.
Proper diagnosis of fistulae is imperative as it can be a result of peritonitis (abdominal lining inflammation) which can loss of life. Surgery and antibiotic therapy are usual treatment methods following tracing of the fistula's complete path.
Anal Fissures
A fissure is a tear, plain and simple. Disproportionate physical strain during constipation usually result in an anal fissure, a tear around the opening of the anus. Relaxation of the external and internal sphincter muscles of the anus is needed during bowel motion. Fissures may worsen as they cause the internal sphincter muscle to break into spasms. A [dangerous|vicious] cycle [develops|ensues|follows|occurs] [with the result of|resulting in|with the consequence of] [increased|more|added] pain and bowel movement bleeding.
Changes in diet to eliminate constipation together with medication (hydrocortisone or lidocaine) may relieve the inflammation and painful spasms.
Rectal Prolapse
Interestingly, rectal prolapse was chronicled as early as 1500 B.C.! An unusual state that afflicts in the main elderly females, the rectum hangs out from the anus to become visible outside the body. Ligaments and muscles, including the internal and external muscles, fail to hold the rectum in place.
Persistent constipation, recurrent diarrhea, severe pelvic floor descent and strenuous bowel movements are common accompanying symptoms. Typically, surgery is the only treatment that is effective.
[Internal Hemorrhoids & External Hemorrhoids|External Hemorrhoids & Internal Hemorrhoids|Internal & External Hemorrhoids|External & Internal Hemorrhoids|Hemorrhoids - Internal & External|Hemorrhoids - External & Internal]
[Notwithstanding|In spite of|Regardless of] the above [disconcerting|somber|weighty|austere|grim] narration, it may be ironic relief that the most [common|frequent|prevalent] [cause of|reason for] bowel movement bleeding is hemorrhoids, both [external and internal|internal and external]. These are dealt with extensively at our site The Treatment Of Hemorrhoid.
Effective alternatives can be found there to rid you of hemorrhoids. [Specifically|In particular], have a look at the H Miracle, an alternative solution presented by an ex-sufferer that promises natural solutions that not only work but [have lasting effect|are permanently effective|have lasting results].
Further Reading
If you are interested in finding more about this topic, we have a related post on Blood In Stool - 7 Possible Causes In The Colon at our site. Do check this out.
