causes of rectal bleeding which can occur in ibs or the irritable bowel syndrome

causes of rectal bleeding (bleeding rectum) can occur anywhere from the cecum to the rectum. It can even occur in the small bowel and upper GI tract if the bleeding is profuse.

Idiopathic - i.e doctors don't know!

Hemorrhoids (Haemorrhoids or piles)

Anal Fissure - a painful 'crack' in the anus

Infections - eg threadworm, bacterial

Inflammatory bowel disease - Crohn's disease or Ulcerative Colitis (usually bright red blood in the stool and)

Skin conditions eg eczema

Polyps ('cherry-like protruberances in the bowel that can become cancerous in some cases)

Colon (from cecum to the rectum)/Anal cancer

Diverticular disease (usually bright red blood in the stool)

Angiodysplasia (bleeding blood vessels) eg in HHT or Hereditory Haemorrhagic telangectasia

Bleeding disorders eg Hemophillia (Haemophillia)

Trauma eg in anal sex

Foreign bodies

Bright red blood in stool is usually benign and only about 1% of all bleeding is due to cancer. A lot of people self diagnose hemorrhoids and never seek medical attention if self-limiting. I think this is a dangerous thing to do as, whilst a lot of the time they will be right, on occassions more serious and often treatable rather than fatal causes of rectal bleeding can be missed with potentially serious consequences. Healthcare specialists deal with rectal bleeding all the time and no one should feel embaressed or intimidated about getting this checked out.

To find out more about investigations for a bleeding rectum click here



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