Rectal Bleeding

Gastroenterology located in St. Clair Shores and Macomb, MI

Rectal Bleeding services offered in St. Clair Shores and Macomb, MI

Seeing blood in the toilet after having a bowel movement is alarming. Though most often not a symptom of a severe health problem, if you have rectal bleeding, schedule a consultation at G.I. Medicine Associates, P.C. in St. Clair Shores and Macomb, Michigan. The team of gastroenterology experts can determine the cause and provide the proper treatment. Call the office nearest you to schedule an appointment.

Rectal Bleeding Q&A

What is rectal bleeding?

Rectal bleeding refers to any type of blood you may see after having a bowel movement. This includes blood in the stool, the toilet water, or the toilet tissue.

The color of the blood may range from bright red to black, which can help indicate the source of your bleeding. If you have bright red blood in your stool, the bleeding is likely happening in the rectum or lower part of your large intestine.

Maroon-colored blood means the bleeding is occurring in the upper part of your large intestine or your small intestine. Black-colored stool means the bleeding is in the stomach.

What causes rectal bleeding?

Rectal bleeding is a symptom of many gastrointestinal (GI) conditions. Some of the common causes of rectal bleeding include:

Hemorrhoids
Anal fissure
Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease
Stomach ulcers
Celiac disease

Rectal bleeding is also a symptom of colon cancer, so you should never ignore this symptom. Colon cancer is very common and curable when found and treated during the early stages.

What happens during a rectal bleeding consultation?

The G.I. Medicine Associates, P.C. team performs a comprehensive history and physical when you come in with concerns about rectal bleeding. They review your symptoms, medical history, and family history, and do a physical exam.

To confirm or rule out the cause of your rectal bleeding, the team may run blood work, a stool test, and take an X-ray. If the results of these tests are inconclusive, the team may perform an endoscopy procedure such as a colonoscopy, upper GI endoscopy, or a capsule endoscopy to find the source and cause of your bleeding.

What are the treatments for rectal bleeding?

Treatment for rectal bleeding depends on the cause. After completing your examination, the team talks to you about your diagnosis and treatment options.

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common causes of rectal bleeding, and treatment usually focuses on improving bowel habits like eating more fiber and drinking more water.

For more serious conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) or colon cancer, the team creates personalized plans based on your specific needs, which may include surgical interventions.

Rectal bleeding is a symptom you can’t ignore. Call G.I. Medicine Associates, P.C., to schedule an appointment.