Medical Issues Associated with Blood in Stools

Blood in stools is the one of the digestive system's ways of saying that something is wrong. When stool becomes bright and red or exceedingly dark and tarry, it often points to a medical condition Blood in stools can manifest itself in two distinct forms. Bright red blood in stools can be indicative of a problem in the lower gastrointestinal tract. Dark black and tar-colored blood in stools usually points to a condition involving the upper gastrointestinal tract.

Several conditions of the lower gastrointestinal tract can cause blood to become present in stool, giving it a bright red color. Among the most common of these conditions in adults are hemorrhoids. Along with bleeding, hemorrhoids can cause itchiness and swelling in the anus or rectum. The Seattle Children's Hospital reports that for the majority of children who experience blood in stool, the cause is an anal fissure.

An inflammatory bowel disease, colon polyps, and diverticulosis can also cause bright red bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract, per the University of Maryland Medical Center. There are multiple forms of inflammatory bowel disease, though Crohn's disease is the most prevalent. Other symptoms that typically appear can include flu-like symptoms and diarrhea.

Colon polyps can cause bleeding both during and independent of bowel movements, so blood may be found in stool or on clothing, according to the National Institutes of Health. Diverticulosis may cause blood in stool, as well as a few other non-specific symptoms like bloating and abdominal discomfort. It primarily affects older individuals.

Certain medical conditions affecting the upper gastrointestinal tract can cause dark black or tar-colored blood in stools. These can include severe cases of gastritis, a tear in the stomach or esophagus, an ulcer, or a physical injury that seeps blood into the digestive tract.

Blood in stool or the appearance of dark or red stool can also be caused by a medical procedure or a nonmedical cause. According to the University of Michigan Medical Center, blood in stool can occur after a prostate biopsy and remain to some degree for up to a week. Substances containing bismuth like Pepto-Bismol can create the appearance of dark or bloody stool, without actually causing any bleeding. Dark food coloring and foods with a lot of deep natural color like beets can also alter the appearance of stool such that it may appear to be bloody.

Blood in stools is frequently caused by a medical condition involving the gastrointestinal tract. These can cause stool to appear dark and black or bright and red, depending on the specific cause. Anyone who suspects they may be experiencing blood in stool or has any questions or concerns about the symptom should talk to their doctor.

References:

Bloody or tarry stools. University of Maryland Medical Center.

Prostate biopsy patient instructions. Department of Urology. University of Michigan Medical Center.

Should your child see a doctor? Stools - Blood In. Seattle Children's Hospital.

What I need to know about Colon Polyps. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. National Institutes of Health.