Blood in Your Stool: When Should You See a Gastroenterologist?
Seeing blood in your stool can be alarming. While rectal bleeding can result from relatively common conditions such as hemorrhoids, it can also be associated with conditions affecting the colon or digestive tract that require medical attention.
Instead of assuming the cause, it is important to discuss unexplained or recurring rectal bleeding with a healthcare provider.
What Does Blood in the Stool Look Like?
Blood in the stool can appear in different ways.
You may notice:
Bright red blood on toilet paper
Red blood in the toilet
Blood coating or mixed with the stool
Dark or black stool
The appearance of the blood can sometimes provide clues about where bleeding may be occurring, but it cannot reliably diagnose the cause.
What Causes Blood in the Stool?
There are many potential causes of gastrointestinal bleeding.
Possible causes can include:
Hemorrhoids
Anal fissures
Diverticular disease
Colon polyps
Inflammatory bowel disease
Gastrointestinal inflammation
Ulcers
Colorectal cancer
Not every episode of rectal bleeding indicates a serious condition. However, unexplained bleeding should not automatically be attributed to hemorrhoids without appropriate evaluation.
When Should I See a Gastroenterologist for Rectal Bleeding?
You should speak with your healthcare provider if you experience unexplained, persistent, or recurring blood in your stool.
Evaluation can be particularly important when bleeding occurs along with symptoms such as:
Changes in bowel habits
Persistent abdominal pain
Unexplained weight loss
Chronic diarrhea or constipation
Fatigue or anemia
Changes in stool appearance
A family history of colorectal cancer
Heavy bleeding, severe abdominal pain, fainting, significant weakness, or other severe symptoms may require immediate medical attention.
How Does a Gastroenterologist Determine the Cause?
Your gastroenterologist will usually begin by discussing your symptoms and medical history.
Questions may include when the bleeding began, what it looks like, whether your bowel habits have changed, medications you take, and whether you have a personal or family history of gastrointestinal conditions.
Depending on your symptoms and risk factors, additional testing may be recommended.
Will I Need a Colonoscopy for Blood in My Stool?
Not every patient with rectal bleeding will need a colonoscopy, but colonoscopy is one of the tests a gastroenterologist may recommend.
A colonoscopy allows the physician to examine the inside of the colon and rectum for potential sources of bleeding, including inflammation, polyps, diverticular disease, or other abnormalities.
Your doctor will determine whether colonoscopy or another evaluation is appropriate based on your individual circumstances.
Can Colon Cancer Cause Blood in the Stool?
Rectal bleeding can be a symptom of colorectal cancer, but there are also many noncancerous causes.
The important point is not to diagnose the cause yourself.
Colorectal cancer can sometimes develop without obvious symptoms, which is why routine screening is recommended even when you feel healthy. New gastrointestinal symptoms should also be discussed with your healthcare provider rather than waiting for your next routine screening.
Don't Ignore Persistent Changes in Your Digestive Health
Blood in your stool does not necessarily mean something serious is wrong, but unexplained or recurring rectal bleeding deserves attention.
Dr. David Beyda is a board-certified gastroenterologist providing evaluation and treatment for digestive symptoms at his Fresh Meadows, Queens office. When a colonoscopy is recommended, Dr. Beyda performs procedures at Rego Park Endoscopy Center.
If you are experiencing rectal bleeding or other changes in your digestive health, schedule an appointment for an evaluation.