February 8, 2010
Blood in stool is often discovered with some fear, accompanied suitably by exclamations of bloody (the adjective, not the expletive). Scarlet red dots of blood cover the excrement. Maroon red blood besmirches the toilet tissue. Down the legs and into the toilet bowl trickles bright red spots of blood. A sudden pang of perplexity causes our hearts to skip a beat or two.
But really, there is no reason to panic as the rectal hemorrhaging or bleeding could be ascribed to any number of 7 possible reasons originating in the colon. Disturbing they will be but the majority of the 7 causes are treatable with early detection and the right approach. Do not be complacent. Start paying close attention. Visit your doctor without delay if bleeding, with pain, persists for over a week.
Appropriate treatment can be rendered to solve the problem once skillful diagnosis establishes the exact cause. More overwhelmingly, blood in stool may be find its root cause in some type of cancer.
Hematochezia or Melena
Whilst usually known as rectal bleeding, medically it is identified as hematochezia (bright red or maroon colored blood) or melena (black sticky or tarry stools). Though so called because the blood exits the body via the rectum, the 7 causes may begin in the small or large (colon) intestinal tract. In the colon, the 7 known causes are cancer, colon polyps, diverticulosis, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, intestinal ischaemia and peptic ulcer.
Colorectal Cancer
640,000 people internationally die annually from colorectal cancer, making it the 3rd most frequent cause of of cancer-related death. For this very reason one must see a medical professional for persisting blood in stool.
Malignant growths in the colon, appendix and rectum are classified as colorectal cancer. Surgical excision and chemotherapy are standard treatment for colorectal cancer which is chiefly spotted by colonoscopy (visual inspection by micro-camera introduced via the anus. Complete healing is possible with early detection. Higher risk groups comprise those over 50 years of age and those with family history of cancers. Among the top killer cancers, colorectal cancer distresses both women and men indifferently..
Another vital piece of information needs to be highlighted. Contrary to popular internet literature, colorectal cancer commonly results in occult (not visible to the naked eye) blood in feces i.e it is NOT a frequent reason for visible blood in stool! Bleeding produced by colorectal cancer may be visible or occult (imperceptible to the naked eye), needing special tests for detection; this based on work done by the University of Michigan Health System. Diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, weight loss, appetite loss and incessant fatigue are attendant symptoms to watch out for.
Colon Polyp
Mostly benign, polyps are raised or flat growths on the intestinal or rectum wall. They are likely to appear in those above 50 years of age and those with a family history of polyps and colorectal cancer. Smoking, alcohol, obesity and lack of exercise are contributory causal factors. In truth, the actual cause is unknown.
For safety sake, benign polyps are typically removed during colonoscopy as they may become malignant. The majority of with polyps demonstrate few or no symptoms at all|Symptoms may not be exhibited at all in many who have polyps|Polyps do not usually cause conspicuous symptoms. But in others, blood in stool occurs.
Diverticulosis
Diverticulosis causes pouches (diverticula) to stretch out of the colon wall. The reasons behind diverticula, whilst unknown, are presumed to be primarily abnormal colon pressure. Deprivation of dietary fiber is believed to be a contributory factor. If food gets trapped in diverticula, infection may set in resulting in diverticulitis. Further damage can occur if the infected diverticulum ruptures to release bacteria to the abdominal lining. Peritonitis, which is potentially fatal, can develop.
Symptoms, if at all, are seldom observable. Constipation, bloating and mild cramps are some experienced symptoms. Rectal bleeding, nausea and vomiting are the more acute symptoms. The dangers posed by peritonitis reaffirm the view that blood in stool should first be examined by a doctor. Diverticulitis can be effectively diagnosed with a CT (computed tomography) scan.
Ulcerative Colitis
Colitis falls under the classification of IBD or inflammatory bowel disease. Inflammation in itself is a normal reaction of the human body to heal itself in the event of an injury to its tissue. Tissue remedied by the inflammation process can also be wounded by it if the process becomes unchecked. Ulcers cause colitis in the colon by eroding the mucous membrane lining.
Apart from other symptoms, blood in stool is common. The dire prospect of peritonitis from colitis is the key reason for confirming it as the cause of rectal bleeding.
Crohn’s Disease
Crohn’s disease is an auto-immune disease whereby the body’s immune system provokes harmful inflammation by turning on the gastrointestinal tract. The whole gastrointestinal tract, from the mouth to the anus, is susceptible to Crohn’s disease. However, the large intestine (colon) and small intestine, are the main sites~But it typically affects the small and large intestine (colon)~The small and large intestine (colon), however, are the primary afflicted areas.
Absolute causes are not known but it is believed to be due to one or all of several factors including industrial environmental exposure, genetic makeup and smoking. The symptoms are blood in stool, serious bloody diarrhea, blood in toilet bowl or on toilet tissue, fever and weight loss.
Occasionally reappearances throughout life or permanent remission both characterize Crohn’s disease, also commonly described as granulomatous colitis. Currently, there is no known surgical or pharmaceutical solution for Crohn’s disease. Early diagnosis is vital for effective management of the symptoms and inhibiting relapses.
Intestinal Ischemia
The suppression of blood supply to any part of the body is described as ischemia. Usually due to dysfunctional arteries, it leads to tissue damage from denial of oxygen and nutrients. Causing inflammation of the large intestines, intestinal ischemia is a inadequacy blood supply that is a consequence of blood vessel constriction, blood clots and high blood pressure.
Symptoms include blood in stool, urgent and violent bowel movements, weight loss, nausea, diarrhea, abdominal pain and cramps, abdominal bloating and fever. The restoration of intestinal blood supply is a medical emergency if there is continual pain. It may be unavoidable to surgically circumvent blocked blood vessels and remove blood clots and injured tissue. To counteract clots and infections, respective medication includes anticoagulants and antibiotics.
Peptic Ulcer
An immensely painful ulcer, this is found in the gastrointestinal tract. An ulcer is an deterioration of the mucosal membrane that is at least 0.5cm in diameter. Frequently mistaken to occur in the stomach, peptic ulcers are actually prevalent in the duodenum (initial part of the small intestine). The primary cause is postulated to be a bacterium that causes chronic gastritis that develops into ulcer formation.
Symptoms include blood in stool (melena), abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, appetite and weight loss, vomiting of blood and at the extreme, perforation of the intestine. Potentially deadly peritonitis, which needs emergency surgery, can manifest. Treatment of milder cases includes antibiotics to resist the bacteria and antacids to moderate the acidity.
Hemorrhoids
Rectal bleeding may result from any of the above 7 causes and only precise diagnosis by a doctor can pinpoint the exact one, if any. Correct treatment and medication, possibly including surgery, can accelerate the path to recovery.
After reading this far, it will certainly be an immense relief to know that the most common cause of blood in stool is simply hemorrhoids, both external and internal.
Further Reading
If you are interested in finding more about this topic, we have a related post on Bowel Movement Bleeding - Six Possible Causes Of Rectal Bleeding at our site. Do check this out.
December 21, 2009
A hemorrhoid is an enlarged and swollen vein occurring inside, outside or around the anus. There are signs to determine if you have hemorrhoids on your anus: throbbing pain, itching or burning sensation, and protruding soft tissue lump outside your anus. Also, when you see bright red blood on your stool or on the toilet paper, the bleeding might be caused by hemorrhoids. There are home remedies for minor hemorrhoids. Here are some suggestions.
Taking sitz baths can be be used as a home hemorrhoid cure. This bath is therapeutic. When you take this type of hydrotherapy, the itchiness and pain will be relieved without the need for medicines. The tools that you can use are sitz bath seats, buckets, or bathtubs. If you choose the first one, it is most likely that there is a bag and tube with it that supplies the needed warm water while using it.
When you have any of these containers, fill it up with warm water. Then sit in it for at least 15 minutes. You could do this for at least 3 times a day. Note that you should thoroughly dry your skin via gentle patting with a soft towel to avoid chafing the irritated area. And while some sitz bath therapies are suggested to be best when the water has salt, do not do so. The salt would only cause further discomfort.
To reduce pain and swelling, petroleum jelly or zinc oxide paste work well. Choose one and follow usage instructions. Note that you should only use one of these at a time, because their chemicals just might react adversely, burning the skin on and around the anus. Before applying, you need to rinse the area well. Use tap water, and dry with a soft towel or washcloth. Scented materials such as tissue paper, body wash, or soap should not be used, because chemicals within could lead to further irritation. Just dab a small amount on a piece of cotton and apply to the swollen area. Remember to keep the area dry and clean.
Another point to be aware of is your diet. Hemorrhoids can be caused by constipation, which is the result of insufficient fiber intake. Psyllium seeds and seed husks are a good source of dietary fiber, and will help you pass feces more easily. When your feces is softer, you are less likely to get hemorrhoids. At breakfast time, add a teaspoon of Psyllium seeds or husks to 8 ounces of water, and drink away. Do this for the first week. Come the second week, step it up by drinking another glass of the same at lunch. In the following weeks or until your bowel moves better, drink the mixture thrice a day. Do not take this with other fiber supplements, because too much fiber can lead to larger and therefore difficult-to-pass stools.
Other treatments include sitting posture and restrictions, and other over-the-counter medications. You should avoid sitting for a long period of time. When you sit too long, the heat around the anus area increases. Thus, there is further possibility of skin irritation, chafing and swelling.
Suppositories and pain relievers can also be used. The latter can minimize the burning sensation. The former can improve your bowel movement.
If symptoms or excessive rectal bleeding persist, you immediately need to consult a health professional. Do not take any of these home remedies as your condition may only worsen.
The last medication you might want to consider is a product called H Miracle. H Miracle was created a few years back by an ex sufferer of hemorrhoids called Holly Hayden. It has since gone on to become the top selling hemorrhoid treatment guide.
November 27, 2009
If you think its already tough to have to deal with how to get rid of hemroids. It is even more frustrating when things are not clear-cut, when even medical professionals disagree with one another. Compounding the problem is the embarrassment when the solution seems to include exposing one’s posterior end, even if it is to a doctor who has seen it all. But don’t sweat it, read on to navigate with us the maze of solutions to hemorrhoid treatment.
A clearer understanding of what hemroids, also known as haemorrhoids, hemorrhoids and piles, is of great help. Before anything else, distinguish hemorrhoidal cushions and hemorrhoids. Hemroids or hemorrhoids our bodies do not want, the critical hemorrhoidal cushions we do.
Hemorrhoidal Cushions
Scientific studies conducted recently on the lower rectal area of the body revealed the existence of hemorrhoidal cushions or anal cushions. Built like muscles structurally, the cushions provide very refined control over the anal opening. Without them, there is no way to control stool motion. This knowledge is the first step to how to get rid of hemroids.
According to the recent finding, atypical oversight is to characterise hemroids as varicose or swollen anal canal veins comparable to varicose veins generally found on the legs. They are not quite the same. Anal cushions are another of the body’s many intricate control mechanisms. They comprise blood vessels (both arteries and veins), elastic and fibrous tissues. The primary task of the tissues is to anchor the anal cushions to the rectal wall. The crammed concentration of blood vessels is required for the laborious efforts that accompany stool discharge. The hemroid is an interwoven mass of veins, arteries, elastic tissue, fibrous tissue and hemorrhoidal or anal cushion wrapped in one. Once again, extremely important insight when we need to know how to get rid of hemroids.
Do not allow yourself to be rushed into surgery that involve total removal of the annoying hemroid. Keep in mind that it is not the routine enlarged varicose vein. The hemroid, rolled into one mass, comprises arteries, veins, fibrous tissue and elastic tissue and most critically, anal cushions. A debilitating 20% anal sphincter control loss is the estimate by colorectal surgeons that can arise from the removal of anal cushions. Perplexingly the potential permanent loss of anal control does not discourage some from rushing into a possibly temporary hemroid cure. Quite apart from impeding normal bowel motion, the thought of losing control in public, say during a serious bout of diarrhea, is unthinkable! Except for the most serious occurrences of hemroids, wholesale excision is not the answer to how to get rid of hemroids.
How To Get Rid Of External Or Internal Hemroids
It is also essential to know whether the hemroid is internal or external. The determining factor is called the dentate line, the name given by anatomists to the demarcation between the external skin outside the anus opening and the internal anal mucus membrane. External hemroids occur below the dentate line whilst internal hemroids are above.
For the incurably pain-averse (which includes all of us!), this distinction will influence the decision to opt for hemroid surgery. Internal hemorids sit on the rectum where there are pressure nerves but substantially fewer pain nerves. Hanging below the dentate line, external hemroids develop on pain-acute skin.
What is the reason behind typically painful external hemroids? Anal cushions do not occur below the dentate line. Nonetheless, many of the blood vessels that equip the anal cushions run clear of the dentate line and U-turn back into the rectum. These limp arteries and veins, when distended can balloon significantly to form external hemroids. Being aware that removing external hemroids is a very painful procedure will affect your decision on how to get rid of hemroids.
A Labryrinth of Solutions On How To Get Rid Of Hemroids
Several categories of solutions exist, including surgery, minimally invasive surgery, prescribed medicines, non-prescription medicines and the intriguing secret way of H Miracle.
The very contemplation of surgery can be extremely intimidating for most people. For the skeptical, a peek at real-life hemroid operations known as hemorrhoidectomy will quickly resolve the issue. Copy and paste this URL (www.proctosite.com/video_atlas/video_atlas_hemorrhoids.php) into another web page. Don’t be in a rush to see this as it may be shocking and unhelpful to some.
Minimally invasive surgery is usually performed on an outpatient basis. This category includes stapling hemorrhoidectomy, rubber banding and infrared coagulation.
Prescription medicines count among them Docusate, hydrocodone, hydrocortisone, lidocaine, oxycodone, pramoxine and stool softeners like bismuth, ibuprofen, polycarbophil, psyllium and subgallate.
Hemorrhoids No More, Heal Hemorrhoids, Ziro, Neo Healar, Avtrol and Venapro are some medications that are commonly sold online. Note that some of these products are strictly for external hemroids and may be potentially harmful. They must be used with care.
Given the multivarious options, small wonder we view the hunt for a solution to how to get rid of hemroids much like navigating a maze!
June 30, 2009
When a person experiences external hemorrhoids, there main concern is what they can do to treat the problem. This condition can be extremely painful and uncomfortable, the hemorrhoids are itchy, painful and often times they may also bleed. They are usually formed by swollen veins near the anus.
Some people get External Hemorrhoids for any number of reasons. Knowing what causes you to get hemorrhoids goes a long way to finding the proper treatment for the condition. In many situation a person may get external hemorrhoids due to pregnancy or because they are overweight. This is caused by an increase in blood flow to the veins in the anal area.
Other times people will have external hemorrhoids due to problems with the passing of stools. They may have constipation where they can’t use the toilet or diarrhea where stools may be very explosive. They may get external hemorrhoids from sitting to long in one place or they may experience this problem if they are into weight lifting, because all of these place a great strain on the anal area.
When researching cures for external hemorrhoids, you may discover a large number of cures, however for the most part these cures can only be used temporarily and do not treat the underlying causes of the disease. In order to really cure the disease a person must use the natural cures that are available. Some people who have really severe and painful external hemorrhoids may opt for surgery, however this is very painful for the person. You may find that the very best and easiest form of treatment is the natural cure. There are some really good natural cures for hemorrhoids:
· Aloe Vera: This is one of the external hemorrhoid treatments that will help to rid you of pain and reduce swelling to the area.
· You can use a sitz bath and get some quick temporary relief. This process is fairly easy as well because you just simply sit in a nice warm tub of water and relax for 10 to 15 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day.
· Another great hemorrhoid cure would be the use of Witch Hazel, this will help you ease the pain and also reduce the swelling.
· Emu oil is another temporary pain reliever that allows you to get rid of the hemorrhoid pain.
In addition to the many herbal remedies that are used as natural external hemorrhoid treatments, there is also getting a balanced diet. It is important that you eat more foods that are fiber rich. There are some very good treatments that will help you not only cure the temporary pain but some are known to completely cure external hemorrhoids.
If you are looking for a cure for your external hemorrhoid problems and you want something that works better than the temporary medications, you may want to try using herbal and natural cures to get rid of the hemorrhoid problems. Hemorrhoids hurt and are extremely irritating but it is good to know that there is a cure.
Heather-Jane Hunter is an ex-hemorrhoid sufferer who now dedicates her life to helping sufferers of hemorrhoids. Learn more about how to Cure Hemorrhoids today.

