Fecal occult blood

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Fecal Occult Blood

Fecal occult blood (pronounced: fee-kal oh-kult bluhd) is a medical term referring to the presence of small amounts of blood in the feces, which is not visible to the naked eye. The term is derived from the Latin words "faecalis" meaning "of the dregs" and "occultus" meaning "hidden", and the Old English "blōd" meaning "blood".

Overview

Fecal occult blood is often a sign of a problem in the digestive system, such as a peptic ulcer, diverticulosis, colitis, polyps, or colorectal cancer. It is usually detected through a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), which can be done at home or in a laboratory.

Causes

The presence of fecal occult blood can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:

Diagnosis

Diagnosis of fecal occult blood is typically made through a fecal occult blood test (FOBT). This test involves collecting samples of stool and sending them to a laboratory for analysis. If blood is detected, further tests may be needed to determine the cause.

Treatment

Treatment for fecal occult blood depends on the underlying cause. This may involve medication, lifestyle changes, or in some cases, surgery.

See Also

External links

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