What does it mean when you have rectal bleeding & blood in your stools?

Question

What does it mean when you have rectal bleeding & blood in your stools?

Answer 1

If you have blood in your stool (your stool is exessively dark "tarry" in nature) it could be indicative of a lower GI or upper GI bleed. An ulcer is the first thing that comes to mind.

Your doctor will ask you about your signs and symptoms. especially pertaining to your GI system like how long has this been happening, any pain, how's your appetite, and nausea or vomiting, etc.

They will take blood to do a CBC see if you have lost signficant amounts of blood (if your hemoglobin and hematocrit are low you could be a candate for transfusion). They will take a stool sample to see if there are any organisms in your stool that could be causing your symptoms. And they will probably want to go a EGD or colonoscopy to visualize your GI tract to see where you're bleeding, to determine why and then to determine how to treat the cause. They'll also probably give you a proton pump inhibitor like Protonix to settle the acids in your stomach that could be causing pain if you do have an ulcer. If you do have an invasive procedure then you'll have to abstain from eating/drinking before the test. Generally overnight.

Someone mentioned cancer. Usually cancer like rectal cancer depends on your risk factors like age and family/personal history. You'll also notice other changes in your stool. Generally the character of the stool changes to where it's pencil thin, etc.

Whew.

I think that's enough.

Bottom line, don't panic. I see this all the time on my unit in the hospital. Just make an appointment with an MD and take it from there. Don't ignore it even if it stops. It's best to treat it as soon as you can rather than waiting.

Answer 2

It could be something as simple as hemorroids that are bleeding or something as serious as cancer.  If it continues, you need to see the doc.  

Answer 3

that you need to go to the Doctor.  It could be many things.  make an appointment soon