Rectal Bleeding Topic Guide

Anal fissures are small tears in the skin overlying the anus. Anal fissures are generally caused by constipation, or straining with a bowel movement. Symptoms of an anal fissure include severe pain during a bowel movement, drops of blood in the toilet, and pain while sitting. Anal fissure treatment includes home remedies such as Sitz baths and a high fiber diet and medical treatment of such as medication, botox injections, or surgery.

Some types of polyps (abnormal growths mucous membrane tissue) may not need treatment and may go away on their own. Other polyps carry a risk of becoming cancerous and need to be removed.

Usually, people either have ulcerative colitis (UC) or Crohn's. There is a case report of a patient having both UC and Crohn’s disease at the same time, but it is extremely rare. Symptoms of ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease are similar, there are some differences between the two conditions. UC causes continuous inflammation of the colon, while people who have Crohn's disease can have healthy parts of the intestine interspersed with the inflamed areas.

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S. Get the facts on colon cancer (colorectal cancer) signs, symptoms, causes, prognosis, treatment, and prevention screening through colonoscopy.

Colorectal polyps are irregular tissue growths that protrude from mucous membranes on the lining of the large intestine (colon) or rectum. Colorectal polyps often have no symptoms. When symptoms are present, they can include blood in stool, diarrhea, constipation, changes in bowel habits, lower abdominal pain or discomfort, and fatigue due to blood loss over time.

Colon cancer and hemorrhoids are different problems that affect the colon, rectum, and anus. Colon cancer is caused by abnormal cells in the colon multiplying, creating cancerous tumors. Hemorrhoids are painful swollen blood vessels and inflamed hemorrhoidal tissue. There are three types of hemorrhoids, internal, external, and thrombosed (ruptured). Hemorrhoids can lead to colon cancer. Similar signs and symptoms of colon cancer and hemorrhoids include rectal bleeding, blood in the stool, and feeling as if you haven't finished a bowel movement. Colon cancer symptoms that do not occur with hemorrhoids are unexplained nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain. Hemorrhoid symptoms that do not occur in colon cancer are pain as the hemorrhoid swells or ruptures, anal itching, and a lump outside of the anus. Colon cancer is a growth of abnormal cells in the colon that continue to multiply, which causes cancerous tumors. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels and inflammation near the anus. There are three types of hemorrhoids, internal, external, and ruptured. Hemorrhoids can lead to colon cancer. Both colon cancer and hemorrhoids can cause rectal bleeding, blood mixed in the stool, and the feeling that you have not completed a bowel movement. Colon cancer symptoms that are different from hemorrhoids are abdominal pain, unexplained nausea and vomiting, narrow or ribbon-like stools, and constipation.

Colon polyps are growths on the surface of the colon or large intestine. Learn about symptoms, causes, risk factors, diagnosis, and treatment.

Colon polyps and diverticulitis are not the same thing. Diverticulitis occurs when a diverticulum ruptures and becomes infected, and colon polyps are growths on the inner lining of the colon. Diverticulitis is not caused by colon polyps; however, if you have diverticulitis you may be at higher risk of getting colon cancer. Moreover, approximately 1% of colon polyps may turn into cancer. There are differences between the symptoms and signs of colon polyps vs. diverticulitis. Colon polyps symptoms that usually do not occur with diverticulitis include black stools, changes in the shape of stools, and anemia. Symptoms of diverticulitis that do not occur with colon polyps include painful urination, persistent fever, inflammation, and constipation from the infection. Call your doctor if you have symptoms of diverticulitis, for example, persistent abdominal pain that usually is in the lower-left abdominal area, constant unexplained fevers, diarrhea, or vomiting, recurring urinary tract infections (UTIs), and rectal bleeding. If you have a lot of blood or a steady flow of blood coming from your rectum, call 911 or go to the nearest Urgent Care or hospital Emergency Department.

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.

Colorectal cancer in children is rare and may result from an inherited syndrome. Colorectal cancer happens when polyps form in the colon or rectum. Symptoms include: abdominal lumps, nausea and vomiting, loss of appetite, blood in stool, and others. Treatment includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation.

Crohn's disease (Crohn disease) is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and is a chronic long-term inflammation of the digestive tract. The cause of Crohn's disease is unknown. Symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, bloating, and infections of the urinary tract and vagina. Treatment for Crohn's disease includes lifestyle changes in diet, medication, and surgery.

Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and any part of the digestive tract can be involved (from the mouth to the anus). Symptoms of Crohn's disease include bloating, constipation, and pain or bleeding with a bowel movement (rectal bleeding). Crohn's disease can cause complications in the digestive system. Nutritional complications are common in people with Crohn's disease.

People with Crohn's disease have many challenges, particularly their dietary and nutritional needs. Some foods may aggravate symptoms, while other foods may not cause problems. Malnutrition is a concern with people with Crohn's disease. Foods that may aggravate symptoms include high fiber foods like popcorn, nuts, and vegetables, alcohol, milk and other dairy products, spicy foods, fatty foods, and fried foods. Often, a parenteral nutrition (TPN) or elemental diet may be recommended to reduce symptoms of Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease (Crohn disease) is a chronic condition that is characterized by inflammation of the digestive tract. Crohn's disease is considered an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Symptoms of Crohn's disease include diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, and fever. Treatment options include diet changes, medication, and surgery. The prognosis for Crohn's disease depends on the patient and the areas affected by Crohn's disease.

Crohn's disease medications prescribed for the treatment of the disease, and symptom relief include aspirin like anti-inflammatories, for example, mesalamine (Asacol, Pentasa, Apriso, Lialda, Canasa, Rowasa), olsalazine (Dipentum), and sulfasalazine (Azulfidine, EN-Tabs). Corticosteroids, for example, budesonide (Entocort), methylprednisolone (Solu-Medrol), prednisolone (Delta-Cortef), and prednisone (Deltasone, Orasone). Immunosuppressants, for example, azathioprine (Imuran), 6-mercaptopurine (Purinethol), and methotrexate (Folex). Biologic drugs, for example, infliximab (Remicade), adalimumab (Humira), and certolimumab (Cimzia). Review the list of these drugs and their side effects.

Living with Crohn's disease can be stressful, depressing, and frustrating. Crohn's disease is not curable, but there are a variety of things that can improve the quality-of-life for people with the disease, for example, medications, lifestyle changes, diet, and surgery.

Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that cause similar symptoms. Crohn's disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract, while ulcerative colitis affects only the colon. In Crohn's disease, pain is felt throughout the entire abdomen while in ulcerative colitis, the pain is usually localized to the left side of the abdomen.

Polyps are diagnosed with physical examination of the affected area, and different types of tests may be used depending on where the polyps are located in the body. A tissue sample (biopsy) may be taken of a polyp to determine if it is cancerous. Polyps do show up on ultrasound, though it is not usually the primary screening method for polyps.

Crohn's disease can be diagnosed by a variety of procedures and tests such as endoscopy. There are several different names for endoscopy, and it depends on what part of the digestive tract being examined. Types of endoscopy include esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), endoscopic ultrasound, and balloon endoscopy, or enteroscopy. Preparation for endoscopy depends on the type of test being performed. Signs and symptoms of diarrhea, weight loss, fever, anemia, decrease in appetite, nausea, and abdominal pain and cramping.

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.

Some medications used to treat hemorrhoids can knock blood sugar out of balance in people with diabetes. Learn more about how to treat hemorrhoids safely when you also suffer from diabetes.

Hemorrhoids are enlarged blood vessels in the lining of the walls of the rectum and anus. Learn about symptoms, how to get rid of them, and what causes them.

Mild hemorrhoids may go away on their own, as long as you eat plenty of fiber and drink lots of fluids to keep your stool soft. More severe ones may require medical treatment or surgery.

Uterine fibroids are noncancerous tumors that grow on the inside or outside of the uterus. Polyps are abnormal growths of tissue that can form on any part of the body that has mucus membranes. Doctors use the following tests to diagnose uterine fibroids and polyps: pelvic ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan, hysteroscopy, laparoscopy, hystosalpingography (a special type of X-ray), saline sonography

The exact cause of Crohn’s disease is not known, but it is believed that genetic and environmental factors contribute to developing the condition. Triggers for Crohn's flares include not taking medication, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), antibiotics, stress, foods that irritate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, and others.

A coworker of mine has Crohn's disease and I’m worried I might contract it. Is Crohn's disease contagious?

Polyps do not always need to be treated and may go away on their own. Natural remedies may be used to relieve symptoms and pain caused by nasal polyps, such as a humidifier, a neti pot, bromelain and probiotic supplements, and avoiding alcohol. Other polyps at risk of becoming cancerous may have to be removed surgically (polypectomy).

Inflammatory bowel disease or IBD consists of a group of gastrointestinal (GI, digestive) tract diseases that cause chronic inflammation of the GI tract (from the esophagus to the anus). The most common forms of IBD are ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn's disease. While irritable bowel syndrome or IBS a functional disease and is comprised of a group of symptoms that affect only the colon and cause symptoms like gas, bloating, diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, and changes in bowel movements. Both IBD and IBS cause symptoms like diarrhea, nausea, and abdominal cramping and pain. But that is where the similarities end. IBD symptoms are more serious and severe and include bloody diarrhea, joint pain, skin problems, eye problems, fever, and severe and/or chronic abdominal pain. The symptoms of IBS often are uncomfortable and painful and include bloating, gas, mild to moderate abdominal pain, diarrhea (IBS-D), constipation (IBS-C), changes in the frequency if bowel movements, discomfort or pain that resolves after a bowel movement, whitish mucus in the stool, changes in the way stools look, and the feeling of having to have a bowel movement after just having one. Researchers do not know what causes either GI condition, but they believe that there are genetic and immune response factors involved in IBD. IBS is a condition in which the colon does not function normally (functional disease), but there is no structural damage to it, for example, it does not cause ulcers in the colon. IBD can affect the entire digestive tract while IBS only affects the colon. Treatment for both conditions is primarily to manage the symptoms. Other treatments for IBD depend upon the type of IBD, the severity, any other problems with health, the part of the GI tract affected, medications, stress management, supplements, and in some cases, surgery. IBS treatment involves managing symptoms and avoiding triggers that worsen them, for example, stress management, dietary changes, exercise, and other therapies. The prognosis for inflammatory bowel disease depends upon the type and severity of the disease. The prognosis for IBS depends upon how well the patient does with changes in diet, exercise, and stress management. There is no cure for either disease.

What is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)? Inflammatory bowel disease is a group of diseases and conditions in which the intestines and other digestive structures become inflamed. Two of these diseases are Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. The cause of IBD is not known; however, they may be a result of an immune reaction of the body against its own intestinal tissue. Symptoms and signs of IBD vary from person to person, and also vary by disease, but may include bloody diarrhea, fever, anemia, weight loss, loss of appetite, and abdominal pain. Treatment for IBD includes diet, lifestyle changes, medication, and surgery.

Polyps are a very common type of benign (noncancerous) tumor. Polyps that can become cancerous include adenomatous polyps (adenomas), hyperplastic polyps, and sessile-serrated and traditional-serrated polyps. Polyps can appear in any part of the body where there are mucus membranes, including the colon, stomach, ears, nose/sinuses, cervix, uterus, and throat and larynx. Colon polyps are the most common.

Hemorrhoids are a common painful condition that involves swollen veins in the anal region. Hemorrhoid surgery (hemorrhoidectomy), which isn't a painful procedure, is the surgical removal of excess hemorrhoidal tissues that is performed on hemorrhoids that are large, extensive, or severe.

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 cancer can have the symptoms of unexplained weight loss in the absence of dieting, bowel obstruction, anemia and fatigue Hemorrhoids produce the symptom of pruritus (itching) in the rectal and/or anal area while rectal cancers usually do not. Patients with hemorrhoids usually have a good prognosis and a normal life expectancy. Unfortunately, rectal cancer, especially in stages III and IV, has a fair to poor prognosis with a shortened life expectancy.

Rectal cancer develops from malignant cancer cells in the rectum. Changes in bowel habits or blood in the stool are indicators of bowel cancer. Treatment includes: surgery, chemotherapy, radiation and targeted therapies. Family history, personal habits, age and other factors affect the risk of developing rectal cancer and its prognosis.

Rectal pain occurs due to many causes, such anal fissures, hemorrhoids, and inflammatory bowel disease. Learn about symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment.

Rectal prolapse occurs when the rectum, which is usually secured to the pelvis with tissues, ligaments, and muscles, becomes somewhat detached from the pelvis. Causes of rectal prolapse include advanced age, long-term constipation, long-term diarrhea, long-term straining during defecation, pregnancy and the stresses of childbirth, previous surgery, cystic fibrosis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, whooping cough, multiple sclerosis, and paralysis (paraplegia).

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 and signs of UC include abdominal pain, diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgency for a bowel movement, fever, fatigue, and lack of appetite. Treatment for UC includes medication and lifestyle changes. On occasion, surgery may be a necessary treatment for ulcerative colitis.

Crohn's disease does not require a specific diet, but it does help to eat certain healthy foods in that are easier on your digestive tract and prevent flares (worsening symptoms). These foods include low-fiber fruits, lean protein, refined grains, and fully-cooked vegetables.

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. There are five types of Crohn’s disease that affect different parts of the digestive tract. These types include Ileocolitis, Ileitis, Gastroduodenal Crohn's disease, Jejunoileitis, and Crohn's (granulomatous) colitis.

Crohn’s disease is an inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. Warning signs can include fevers, fatigue, diarrhea, frequent bowel movements, abdominal pain/cramping, nausea, vomiting, cramping, loss of appetite, weight loss, gastrointestinal ulcers, rectal bleeding/blood in stool, and others.

Colon polyps are abnormal growths of tissue that project from mucous membranes on the lining of the large intestine (colon). They may be flat or may appear to be attached by a stalk (pedunculated).

Crohn’s disease is a type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) that causes symptoms such as persistent diarrhea, rectal bleeding, urgent need to have a bowel movement, abdominal pain that feels like cramping, feeling of incomplete bowel evacuation, and constipation (may lead to bowel obstruction). Other symptoms may include eye problems, mouth sores, joint pain and swelling, skin problems, fever, night sweats, loss of appetite, weight loss, and more.

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anal region. Hemorrhoids are a common, painful and uncomfortable condition that can affect anyone. In general, if hemorrhoids don’t hurt or cause other problems, they don’t need to be treated. However, even painless hemorrhoids often develop into hemorrhoids that cause discomfort or other problems and they will eventually require treatment. Hemorrhoid symptoms may include rectal bleeding, tissue bulging from anal area, pain and pressure in the rectal area, anal itching, burning sensation in the anal area, feeling a need to have a bowel movement, difficulty cleaning after a bowel movement, and leakage of feces.

Triggers for Crohn’s disease flares include not taking medications as prescribed, using nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), using antibiotics, physical and emotional stress, eating foods that irritate the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, smoking, and infections.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids include rectal bleeding, tissue bulging from the anal area, anal itching or burning sensation, pain and pressure in the rectal area, feeling a need to have a bowel movement, leakage of feces, and difficulty cleaning after a bowel movement. Hemorrhoid symptoms that require a doctor visit include bleeding before, during, or after bowel movements; hemorrhoid persists for more than a week, symptoms continue to worsen, you notice a bulge, or you don’t know whether your discomfort is caused by hemorrhoids.

Most of the time, rectal bleeding is not caused by a serious medical condition, but the only way to be sure is to see a doctor for evaluation.

While both Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC) share similar symptoms, determining which one is worse depends on the severity of the disease.

It’s not entirely clear why Crohn’s disease affects the eyes in some people. Crohn’s is an inflammatory disease, and inflammatory conditions often affect multiple parts of the body.