Rectal bleeding: Difference between revisions
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{{Infobox medical condition | |||
| name = Rectal bleeding | |||
| synonyms = [[Hematochezia]], [[rectorrhagia]] | |||
| field = [[Gastroenterology]] | |||
| symptoms = [[Blood]] in [[stool]], [[bright red blood per rectum]] | |||
| complications = [[Anemia]], [[hypovolemic shock]] | |||
| onset = Sudden or gradual | |||
| duration = Varies | |||
| causes = [[Hemorrhoids]], [[anal fissure]], [[diverticulosis]], [[colorectal cancer]], [[inflammatory bowel disease]] | |||
| risks = [[Age]], [[family history]], [[diet]], [[smoking]] | |||
| diagnosis = [[Colonoscopy]], [[sigmoidoscopy]], [[anoscopy]], [[fecal occult blood test]] | |||
| differential = [[Upper gastrointestinal bleeding]], [[melena]] | |||
| treatment = Depends on cause; may include [[medication]], [[surgery]], [[dietary changes]] | |||
| medication = [[Laxatives]], [[stool softeners]], [[anti-inflammatory drugs]] | |||
| frequency = Common | |||
| deaths = Rare, unless due to severe underlying condition | |||
}} | |||
'''Rectal bleeding''' refers to the passage of blood from the anus. The severity can vary from a small amount of bright red blood with defecation to severe, continuous bleeding. Rectal bleeding is a symptom and not a disorder itself. It is usually related to a condition in the digestive system such as a [[hemorrhoid]] or an [[anal fissure]]. | '''Rectal bleeding''' refers to the passage of blood from the anus. The severity can vary from a small amount of bright red blood with defecation to severe, continuous bleeding. Rectal bleeding is a symptom and not a disorder itself. It is usually related to a condition in the digestive system such as a [[hemorrhoid]] or an [[anal fissure]]. | ||
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
Rectal bleeding can be caused by a variety of conditions and diseases such as [[hemorrhoids]], [[anal fissures]], [[diverticular diseases]], [[colitis]], [[Crohn's disease]], [[colon and rectum polyps]], [[cancer]], or [[gastrointestinal bleeding]]. | Rectal bleeding can be caused by a variety of conditions and diseases such as [[hemorrhoids]], [[anal fissures]], [[diverticular diseases]], [[colitis]], [[Crohn's disease]], [[colon and rectum polyps]], [[cancer]], or [[gastrointestinal bleeding]]. | ||
===Hemorrhoids=== | ===Hemorrhoids=== | ||
[[Hemorrhoids]] are swollen blood vessels in the rectum or anus that can be painful, itchy, and can sometimes bleed. Painless rectal bleeding with a bowel movement is a common symptom of hemorrhoids. | [[Hemorrhoids]] are swollen blood vessels in the rectum or anus that can be painful, itchy, and can sometimes bleed. Painless rectal bleeding with a bowel movement is a common symptom of hemorrhoids. | ||
===Anal Fissures=== | ===Anal Fissures=== | ||
An [[anal fissure]] is a small tear in the lining of the anus, often caused by constipation. Rectal bleeding from an anal fissure is usually bright red. | An [[anal fissure]] is a small tear in the lining of the anus, often caused by constipation. Rectal bleeding from an anal fissure is usually bright red. | ||
===Diverticular Disease=== | ===Diverticular Disease=== | ||
[[Diverticular disease]] can cause small, bulging pouches to form in the lining of the digestive system, usually in the lower part of the colon. Diverticulosis can cause rectal bleeding. | [[Diverticular disease]] can cause small, bulging pouches to form in the lining of the digestive system, usually in the lower part of the colon. Diverticulosis can cause rectal bleeding. | ||
===Colitis=== | ===Colitis=== | ||
[[Colitis]] is inflammation of the colon. Colitis can be part of a disease called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and it can also be due to other causes. | [[Colitis]] is inflammation of the colon. Colitis can be part of a disease called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and it can also be due to other causes. | ||
===Crohn's Disease=== | ===Crohn's Disease=== | ||
[[Crohn's disease]] is a type of IBD. It can cause rectal bleeding, along with many other symptoms. | [[Crohn's disease]] is a type of IBD. It can cause rectal bleeding, along with many other symptoms. | ||
===Colon and Rectum Polyps=== | ===Colon and Rectum Polyps=== | ||
[[Colon and rectum polyps]] are growths in the inner lining of the colon and rectum. They can cause bleeding, but often there are no symptoms. | [[Colon and rectum polyps]] are growths in the inner lining of the colon and rectum. They can cause bleeding, but often there are no symptoms. | ||
===Cancer=== | ===Cancer=== | ||
[[Cancer]] of the colon or rectum can cause rectal bleeding. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. | [[Cancer]] of the colon or rectum can cause rectal bleeding. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention. | ||
===Gastrointestinal Bleeding=== | ===Gastrointestinal Bleeding=== | ||
[[Gastrointestinal bleeding]] can be a cause of rectal bleeding, but it is usually not visible with the naked eye. | [[Gastrointestinal bleeding]] can be a cause of rectal bleeding, but it is usually not visible with the naked eye. | ||
==Diagnosis== | ==Diagnosis== | ||
Diagnosis of rectal bleeding depends on the cause and may involve an examination of the rectum and colon, blood tests, imaging tests, or a colonoscopy. | Diagnosis of rectal bleeding depends on the cause and may involve an examination of the rectum and colon, blood tests, imaging tests, or a colonoscopy. | ||
==Treatment== | ==Treatment== | ||
Treatment for rectal bleeding may include lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery, depending on the cause. | Treatment for rectal bleeding may include lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery, depending on the cause. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
* [[Hemorrhoids]] | * [[Hemorrhoids]] | ||
| Line 43: | Line 49: | ||
* [[Cancer]] | * [[Cancer]] | ||
* [[Gastrointestinal bleeding]] | * [[Gastrointestinal bleeding]] | ||
[[Category:Medical Symptoms]] | [[Category:Medical Symptoms]] | ||
[[Category:Gastroenterology]] | [[Category:Gastroenterology]] | ||
[[Category:Digestive Diseases]] | [[Category:Digestive Diseases]] | ||
{{stub}} | {{stub}} | ||
Latest revision as of 03:30, 4 April 2025
| Rectal bleeding | |
|---|---|
| Synonyms | Hematochezia, rectorrhagia |
| Pronounce | N/A |
| Specialty | N/A |
| Symptoms | Blood in stool, bright red blood per rectum |
| Complications | Anemia, hypovolemic shock |
| Onset | Sudden or gradual |
| Duration | Varies |
| Types | N/A |
| Causes | Hemorrhoids, anal fissure, diverticulosis, colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease |
| Risks | Age, family history, diet, smoking |
| Diagnosis | Colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, anoscopy, fecal occult blood test |
| Differential diagnosis | Upper gastrointestinal bleeding, melena |
| Prevention | N/A |
| Treatment | Depends on cause; may include medication, surgery, dietary changes |
| Medication | Laxatives, stool softeners, anti-inflammatory drugs |
| Prognosis | N/A |
| Frequency | Common |
| Deaths | Rare, unless due to severe underlying condition |
Rectal bleeding refers to the passage of blood from the anus. The severity can vary from a small amount of bright red blood with defecation to severe, continuous bleeding. Rectal bleeding is a symptom and not a disorder itself. It is usually related to a condition in the digestive system such as a hemorrhoid or an anal fissure.
Causes[edit]
Rectal bleeding can be caused by a variety of conditions and diseases such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, diverticular diseases, colitis, Crohn's disease, colon and rectum polyps, cancer, or gastrointestinal bleeding.
Hemorrhoids[edit]
Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectum or anus that can be painful, itchy, and can sometimes bleed. Painless rectal bleeding with a bowel movement is a common symptom of hemorrhoids.
Anal Fissures[edit]
An anal fissure is a small tear in the lining of the anus, often caused by constipation. Rectal bleeding from an anal fissure is usually bright red.
Diverticular Disease[edit]
Diverticular disease can cause small, bulging pouches to form in the lining of the digestive system, usually in the lower part of the colon. Diverticulosis can cause rectal bleeding.
Colitis[edit]
Colitis is inflammation of the colon. Colitis can be part of a disease called inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and it can also be due to other causes.
Crohn's Disease[edit]
Crohn's disease is a type of IBD. It can cause rectal bleeding, along with many other symptoms.
Colon and Rectum Polyps[edit]
Colon and rectum polyps are growths in the inner lining of the colon and rectum. They can cause bleeding, but often there are no symptoms.
Cancer[edit]
Cancer of the colon or rectum can cause rectal bleeding. This is a serious condition that requires immediate medical attention.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding[edit]
Gastrointestinal bleeding can be a cause of rectal bleeding, but it is usually not visible with the naked eye.
Diagnosis[edit]
Diagnosis of rectal bleeding depends on the cause and may involve an examination of the rectum and colon, blood tests, imaging tests, or a colonoscopy.
Treatment[edit]
Treatment for rectal bleeding may include lifestyle changes, medication, or surgery, depending on the cause.
