Rectal Bleeding Topic Guide

The human colon is a muscular, tube-shaped organ measuring about 4 feet long. It extends from the end of your small bowel to your anus. Most colon cancers start as adenomatous polyps that turn into adenocarcinomas. Colon cancer (bowel cancer) is typically diagnosed through a colonoscopy or other type of endoscopic procedures. Treatment methods include surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy.

Colonoscopy is a procedure used to view the inside of the colon. Reasons for colonoscopy is to detect or diagnose diseases of the colon, for example, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, other types of colitis, colon polyps, colon cancer, diverticulitis, and other bowel and rectal diseases. Risks for colonoscopy include colon perforation, infection, or bleeding.

The majority of foreign bodies (objects) placed in the rectum have been placed through the anus. Examples of foreign objects in the rectum include bottles, candles, fruits, vegetables, and sex toys. If a person knows they have, or thinks they have a foreign body in the rectum, they should seek medical care. The object may be easily removed by a health care professional; however, in some cases surgery is necessary to remove the object.

Hemorrhoids are large veins in the rectum that cause pain. Causes of hemorrhoids include constipation, straining during a bowel movement, low-fiber diet, and liver disease. Symptoms of internal hemorrhoids are usually painless. External or prolapsed internal hemorrhoid symptoms and signs may include: Pain A lump outside the anus Anal itching Constant urge to have a bowel movement Blood with a bowel movement There are a variety of over-the-counter treatments for hemorrhoids. Some do not resolve on their own so surgery is necessary.

The rectum is the lower part of the colon that connects the large bowel to the anus. The rectum's primary function is to store formed stool in preparation for evacuation. Rectal cancer symptoms and signs include bleeding, bowel obstruction, weight loss, change in bowel habits, constipation, narrow stools, and pain during bowel movements. Treatment may involve surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Rectal pain is a common problem. Some common causes of rectal pain include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, fleeting anal spasms (proctalgia fugax), and levator ani syndrome. Diagnosis of rectal pain generally require no procedures. Treatment of rectal pain depends on the cause of the pain.

Rectal bleeding is blood passed rectally. Blood in the stool can be bright red or maroon in color. Larger amounts of blood that remain in the intestine long enough can turn the stool black. Blood in the stool also may be invisible to the naked eye (occult).

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the membranes that line the colon. Symptoms of UC include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgency for a bowel movement, fever, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Treatment for UC include medication and lifestyle changes. On occasion, surgery may be a necessary treatment for ulcerative colitis.