Regular visual inspection of your stools is a great resource for monitoring your health. Discovering that you have blood in/on your stool, or a bloody stool, can be a frightening experience. However, there are many causes for bloody stools, some considered minor in nature.
Now before you panic, take a gander at the following list of causes and reasons to ascertain if any matches or applies to your situation or circumstance.
You may observe drops or streaks of bright red blood on your stools, toilet tissue or toilet bowl when experiencing:
- hemorrhoids
- colon polyps
- colorectal cancer
- proctitis, rectal prolapse
- lack of blood supply to the bowel ~ bright red or maroon
- diverticular bleeding ~ painless, but sometimes severe bleeding
- constipation ~ passing hard, dry stools can scrape or tear your anal lining
- inflammatory bowel disease ~ ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease may cause bright or darker blood mixed in
If you have peptic ulcers, you may notice dark blood in your stools or black, tarry poop stools.
Additionally, your poop stool can be colored to red, black or maroon via the consumption of:
- iron supplements
- certain foods ~ beets, licorice, blueberries
- some medications ~ bismuth subsalicylate (Pepto-Bismol)
If in doubt, have your bloody stool checked out. Colorectal cancer can be life threatening, while the others may cause minor to major health effects, issues and problems.
