Symptoms and Signs of Rectal Bleeding

Rectal Bleeding Symptoms

• Rectal pain
• Bright red blood present in or on the stool
• Change in stool color to black, red, or maroon
• Stool test positive for occult blood loss (blood may present, but you cannot see it)
• Confusion
• Dizziness, lightheadedness
• Fainting, palpitations or rapid heartbeat

Rectal Bleeding Causes

Tumors and polyps

Polyps: Lumps of tissue or polyps bulge out from the lining of the colon. Bleeding occurs when large polyps develop, which can be hereditary. Usually harmless, some types can be precancerous.

Tumors: Both benign and malignant forms are frequently found in the colon and rectum. People older than 50 years of age are most affected. However, tumors can be found in younger people.

• Few people with tumor or polyps will have rectal bleeding. When bleeding does occur, it is usually slow, chronic, and minimal.
• If cancerous lesions are advanced, additional symptoms such as weight loss, a change in the caliber of stools, a sense of rectal fullness, or constipation may be experienced.
• Diagnosis requires evaluation with colonoscopy.

Trauma: Rectal bleeding from a traumatic cause is always a critical concern. Rectal damage from a gunshot wound or foreign body insertion can result in extensive infection or rapid and fatal blood loss. Prompt emergent evaluation is necessary.

Upper gastrointestinal source: A common source of rectal bleeding is bleeding from the upper gut, usually the stomach or duodenum. This can occur after someone has swallowed a foreign object that causes injury to the stomach lining, bleeding stomach ulcers, or Mallory-Weiss tears. (Mallory-Weiss tears are cuts or ruptures of vessels in the lining of the esophagus or stomach. They are usually due to continuing or forceful vomiting.)

• Alcohol consumption can also cause ulcers and gastritis.

Meckel diverticulum: A rare condition, where gastric lining is found in an inappropriate location of the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, the gastric acid secreted from this lining erodes tissue and ultimately causing hemorrhage.

• Rectal bleeding in a Meckel diverticulum is painless and appears bright red. Admission to the hospital is essential because surgery is often definitive treatment.

There are a variety of causes of rectal bleeding. Common causes include hemorrhoids, anal fissure, diverticulosis, infection, inflammation (IBD or irritable bowel disease, Crohn's disease, colitis), blood vessel problems (angiodysplasia). Other causes of rectal bleeding include polyps, tumors, trauma, an upper gastrointestinal source like stomach ulcers, and Meckel diverticulum (rare). Some of the details of the major causes of rectal bleeding are provided in this information.