Bloody Bowel Movement
If your stool is red then blood is likely to be present. Before panicking, ascertain that it is not red food pigmentation causing this abnormal coloring – such as beets – although this is more common in children than adults.
Blood inside the stool ay also be indicated by black stools, or “melena”. Again food such as licorice or blueberries can also cause black stool, as can iron pills.
Causes of Bloody Bowel Movements
Blood in the stool can indicate injury or disorder in the digestive tract.
Blood inside the stool could come from anywhere in the digestive tract- from mouth to anus. It may be present in such small amounts than you can’t actually see it; but when there is enough present for you to see then take note of the color as your doctor will want to know in order to identify the origin of the blood.
A black stool usually means that the blood is coming from the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. This includes the oesophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine. Blood will typically look like tar after it has been exposed to the body's digestive juices. Stomach ulcers caused by ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin are common causes of upper GI bleeding.
Maroon colored stools or bright red blood usually suggest that the blood is coming from the lower part of the GI tract (large bowel or rectum). Haemorrhoids and Diverticulitis (inflammation of an abnormal pouch in the colon) are the most common causes of lower GI bleeding.
Cure of Bloody Bowel Movements
Any bloody presence in the stool should be taken seriously. It could be a sign of a serious medical issue. Consult your physician immediately.