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What does blood in a stool indicate?
Rectal bleeding is a symptom of conditions like hemorrhoids, anal fissures, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), ulcers and colorectal cancer. Typically, you notice rectal bleeding on toilet paper, in the water of the toilet bowl or in your stool.
Should I see a doctor if I have blood in my stool?
If you are experiencing bloody stools or bleeding from a bowel movement, you may need to see a doctor. Seek immediate medical attention if you are experiencing fever, excessive weakness, vomiting, or seeing large amounts of blood in your stool.
Is blood in stool an emergency?
Rectal bleeding isn’t generally an emergency, but there are some situations when people must seek immediate medical help or call 911. Do this if you have blood in your stool and you have any of these other signs: Sweating or cold, clammy skin. Severe abdominal pain or cramping.
Is blood in your stool a very bad sign?
Seeing blood in your stool can be very concerning. For most people, the fear is that this is a sign of colon cancer . Although blood in the stool is considered a red-flag digestive symptom , it doesn’t automatically mean that you have a life-threatening illness.
How can I tell if blood is in my stool?
Note the color of the blood in or on your feces. Blood in your stool can come from anywhere along your digestive tract. Black stool usually indicates that the blood is coming from the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract, including the esophagus, stomach and the first part of the small intestine.
What doctor should you see for blood in the stool?
I understand that finding blood in the toilet can be quite alarming. Typically it is not an indicator of a more serious condition. However, whenever blood is discovered in one’s stool you should make an appointment with your doctor or a gastroenterologist to ensure that the blood is not an indicator of another issue.
Is it serious if you have blood in your stool?
Blood in the stool can indicate a relatively mild condition, such as hemorrhoids, or blood in the stool can accompany a serious, even life-threatening condition, such as esophageal varices or colorectal cancer. Having blood in the stool can appear in a variety of forms.