Service
Rectal bleeding: blood from the anus
- Section
- Services
- Specialist
- Op. Dr. Dilara Hasanova
- Clinic
- Modern Hospital, Baku
What does blood from the anus mean?
Short answer
Rectal bleeding is blood coming from the anus: blood on toilet paper, on the stool, in the toilet bowl or on underwear. The most common causes are hemorrhoids and anal fissure, but the same symptom can also occur with a polyp, inflammatory bowel disease, diverticula and colon cancer. Rectal bleeding is never considered normal, and its cause must be clarified by a doctor's examination.
What does the color of the blood tell you?
| Appearance of the blood | Likely source |
|---|---|
| Bright red, on toilet paper or on the stool | Anal canal and rectum: hemorrhoids, anal fissure, anal polyp |
| Dark red, mixed with the stool | Higher parts of the colon |
| Stool with blood and mucus, frequent urge to have a bowel movement | Inflammation of the bowel (colitis, proctitis) |
| Black, tar-like stool (melena) | Usually the upper digestive tract: stomach, duodenum. Urgent examination is needed |
This table is only a guide. The color of the blood is not enough to make a diagnosis.
Diagnostics
- Proctological examination, digital rectal examination
- Anoscopy, rectoscopy or video proctoscopy
- Colonoscopy when indicated, gastroscopy for black stool
- Blood tests (checking for anemia)
In patients over the age of 40–45, even if the bleeding looks like hemorrhoidal bleeding, the examination is more extensive in order to rule out the possibility of cancer.
The doctor's practice
Examinations and treatments Dr. Hasanova performs herself
In patients who come with rectal bleeding, Dr. Hasanova looks for the source of the bleeding with a proctological examination and video proctoscopy. She treats hemorrhoids, anal fissure and anal polyps. If the source is higher up or there are risk factors, she refers the patient for colonoscopy, and in the case of black stool, for gastroscopy.