Bloody stools, Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications

Bloody stools, Definition, Symptoms, Causes, Diagnosis, Treatment, Prevention, Complications

Bloody stools are a condition when there is blood in the stool. Blood can be seen in the patient's stool or when the patient is cleaning the rectum. This condition can be a sign of bleeding in the digestive tract, such as hemorrhoids or colitis.

Bloody stools are not always a sign of a serious health problem. However, bloody stools still need to be treated, because they can lead to fatal conditions. Therefore, immediately do an examination to the doctor if you see blood in the stool.

Defecation of Bloody Defecation

Based on the location of bleeding, bloody defecation can be divided into two types, namely:
Hematochezia

Hematochezia in the bowels is enlarged by bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract, especially in the large intestine. In patients with hematochezia, the blood that comes out with the stool will look red. This happens because the bleeding is located in an area not far from the rectum so that the blood comes out in a fresh state.

Some conditions that can result in hematochezia or lower GI bleeding are:

• Diverticulitis, which is inflammation or infection of the diverticula (abnormally small pouches that form in the digestive tract)
• Inflammation of the intestines, which is inflammation of the intestines which can refer to Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• Colon polyps, which are abnormal tissue growths that are stalked and less than 1.5 cm in size
• Benign tumors in the large intestine and rectum that can excrete excess bleeding
• Colon cancer, which is cancer that grows in the colon (large intestine)
• Anal fissure, which is an open wound in the anal canal
• Hemorrhoids (hemorrhoids), which is a condition when the blood vessels in the anal area widen and are at risk of expelling water

Melena

Melena is excreted by bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. In people with melena, the blood in the stool will look dark black. This is because the location of the bleeding is far from the rectum so that the blood is deprived of oxygen or deoxygenated. In addition, the blood is also mixed with enzymes and stomach acid, making it black in color.

There are a number of conditions that can cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding, including:

Esophageal varices, which is widening of the veins in the esophagus (esophagus) area
Gastritis, which is inflammation of the protective lining in the stomach
Esophagitis, which is inflammation of the lining of the esophagus due to GERD
Gastric ulcers, which are sores that form on the inner surface of the stomach wall
stomach cancer
Mallory-Weiss syndrome, which is a condition characterized by a tear in the tissue in the area of ​​the esophagus that borders the stomach

Risk factors for bloody stools

Bloody defecation can happen to anyone. However, there are several factors that can increase a person's risk of experiencing bloody bowel movements, namely:

• Experiencing bloating
• Excessive consumption of alcoholic beverages
• Experiencing constipation (constipation)
• Have a family history of gastrointestinal bleeding
• old age

Symptoms of Bloody Defecation

Symptoms of bloody stools depend on the type. In patients with hematochezia, the main symptom that arises is blood in the stool which is fresh red. In addition to coming out with feces, blood can also drip directly from the anus.

Patients with hematochezia may also experience accompanying symptoms, such as:

• Diarrhea
• Fever
• Changes in the frequency of defecation
• Stomach ache
• Weight loss

Meanwhile, in people with melena, the main symptom that arises is blood in the stool, which is dark in color like asphalt, and has a soft and sticky texture.

People with melena may also experience accompanying symptoms, such as:

• Vomiting blood
• Tired easily
• Dizzy
• Faint

When to go to the doctor

Immediately consult a doctor if you experience symptoms of bloody bowel movements, especially if these symptoms persist.

Bleeding defecation can cause a fatal condition, namely shock. Therefore, immediately see a doctor if you or those around you experience bloody stools accompanied by symptoms of shock, such as:

• Nauseous
• Small amount of urine
• Dizzy
• Loss of consciousness
• Blurred vision
• Pale and cold skin
• Hard to breathe

Diagnosis of Bloody Defecation

The doctor will ask questions about the patient's symptoms and medical history. In addition, the doctor will also ensure that the patient's condition is stable by checking vital signs, namely respiratory rate, pulse, body temperature, and blood pressure.

Next, the doctor will perform a physical examination, especially in the anus, followed by a stool examination to detect blood in the stool. If there is blood in the stool, the doctor will run a follow-up examination to make sure the stool is bleeding, namely:

endoscope

Endoscopy aims to see the area of ​​bleeding by inserting a camera tube (endoscope) into the patient's body. The endoscope can be inserted through the mouth (gastroscopy), or through the rectum (colonoscopy). During an endoscopy, the doctor may take a small sample of tissue (biopsy), for examination in the laboratory.

X-ray with barium contrast

In this examination, the doctor will ask the patient to drink a contrast liquid or barium dye, before starting X-rays. Barium will help the doctor to see the digestive tract more clearly during the examination.

Angiography

Angiography is an X-ray examination that is preceded by an injection of contrast fluid into a vein. Contrast fluid will help the doctor see more clearly the blood vessels in the digestive tract suspected of bleeding.

Radionuclear examination

Radionuclear examination is done by injecting a radioactive liquid into a vein. After that, the doctor will monitor the patient's blood flow through a special camera.

Laparotomy

Laparotomy is a surgical procedure on the abdominal wall. This examination is done to see the source of bleeding directly.

Bloody Defecation Treatment

Treatment for bloody defecation aims to overcome blood deficiency or anemia, stop bleeding, and prevent re-bleeding from occurring. The method of treatment depends on the amount of blood that is shed, and the underlying Bleeding.

The following are some methods of treating bloody stools based on their purpose:

Infusion or blood transfusion

Patients with moderate to heavy bleeding may experience low blood pressure, anemia, dizziness, or shock. In these conditions, the doctor will immediately provide replacement fluids through IVs and blood transfusions.

Action through endoscopy

In addition to being used to determine defecation and the location of bleeding, endoscopy can also be used to treat bleeding through the following methods:

• Electrocauterization
• This procedure is done by burning the tissue or blood vessels that expel the bleeding using an electric current.
• Band ligation
• This procedure aims to block the flow of blood that excretes bleeding, by tying up swollen hemorrhoids or esophageal varices.
• Endoscopic intravariceal cyanoacrylate injection
• In this procedure, the doctor will inject cyanoacrylate in the area that is bleeding. Cyanoacrylate is a synthetic adhesive that can stop bleeding.

In addition to going through an endoscope, doctors can perform surgery to stop bleeding directly. Another method is embolization, which involves inserting a special material into the vein through a catheter, to stop the bleeding.
Administration of drugs

After the bloody defecation is resolved, the doctor will handle the defecation, so that this condition does not happen again. The trick is to give the following drugs:

• Antibiotics
• Drugs that reduce stomach acid production
• Chemotherapy drugs
• Immunosuppressive drugs
• TNF (tumor necrosis factor) blocking drugs
• Beta blockers

colostomy

A colostomy is performed if bloody stools are expelled by colon cancer or colon cancer. In this procedure, the doctor will make a hole in the abdomen as a channel to remove feces.

To help the treatment process, the doctor will advise the patient to do self-care at home, such as:

• Eat foods with high fiber, such as vegetables and fruit
• Take fiber supplements, if needed
• Take a warm bath, to increase blood flow

If you experience bloody stools that are severe enough, the doctor will recommend hospitalization.

Treatment from a doctor may cost a lot of money. With that Big Waste, protect yourself with health insurance that comes with a free chat service with specialist doctors. By having this product, you can consult anytime and anywhere with a doctor.

Complications of Bloody Defecation

If left untreated, bleeding due to bloody bowel movements can lead to serious complications, such as:

• Anemia
• Shock
• Too much blood loss

In addition to complications due to bleeding, other complications can also arise due to defecation of the bleeding, including:

• Abscesses, abnormal passages (fistulas) in the intestines, and holes or sores in the intestines (peritonitis) due to diverticulitis
• Bowel obstruction, intestinal fistula, or cholangitis due to inflammatory bowel disease
• Anal fistula and narrowing (stenosis) of the anus due to anal fissure
• Anemia and pinched hemorrhoids (strangulation) due to hemorrhoids
• Stomach ulcers, gastric bleeding, or gastric cancer, due to gastritis
• Gastric bleeding, peritonitis, and blockage of the stomach due to peptic ulcers

Prevention of Bloody Defecation

The following are efforts you can take to reduce the risk of bloody stools:

• Eat a complete and balanced nutritious diet
• Sufficient intake of fiber foods
• Exercise regularly
• Maintain ideal body weight
• Do not smoke
• Check blood pressure and cholesterol regularly
• Keeps the anal area dry
• Clean the rectum with warm water and mild soap
• Drink enough water every day
• Don't push too hard when defecating
• Don't delay defecation
• Avoid sitting too long on hard surfaces

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