Causes, treatments, and what to know

Blood clots can appear in stool for various reasons, such as peptic ulcers, diverticulosis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The color of the blood may give clues as to the cause.

When a person finds blood in the stool, it may be bright red, dark, or black. The color of the stool or blood may indicate where exactly the bleeding is in the digestive tract.

Doctors may perform a colonoscopy or endoscopy to find the source of blood clots in the stool. Once the doctor determines the location and the cause of the bleeding, they will attempt to stop the bleeding and prevent it from recurring.

Read on to learn more about the different causes of blood clots in the stool, some other symptoms that may occur, and some possible treatments.

Share on PinterestPeptic ulcer disease is a possible cause of blood clots in the stool.

Peptic ulcer disease is characterized by disruptions in the protective lining of the stomach, esophagus, and small intestine.

The cause of peptic ulcer disease is acidic gastric secretions or pepsin damaging the inner layers of the wall of the upper digestive system.

Improved hygiene and sanitation practices, along with effective treatments and awareness of the negative impact of certain drugs on the digestive system, have lowered the prevalence of peptic ulcer disease.

Symptoms

The symptoms of peptic ulcer disease may vary depending on the location and severity of the ulcer. Some symptoms may include:

• abdominal pain
• blood clots in the stool
• weight changes
• bloating
• recurrent episodes of blood in the vomit

Treatment

Doctors often prescribe antisecretory drugs, including h3-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, for people with peptic ulcer disease.

For some people, drug therapy alone is insufficient to treat peptic ulcer disease, so surgery may be necessary.

People with diverticulosis have multiple sacs, or diverticula, that develop along the digestive tract. If these sacs become inflamed or infected and bleed, the condition becomes known as diverticulitis.

Symptoms

Often, people with diverticulosis do not have any symptoms.

If symptoms do occur, they may include:

• cramping
• abdominal pain
• alterations in bowel habits
• blood in the stool
• fever

Treatment

Increasing fluid and fiber in the diet can help prevent diverticulitis. However, if any symptoms of diverticulitis occur, it is very important to seek medical attention. In severe cases, inflamed or infected diverticula can burst, causing severe pain and possibly leading to death.

Treatment for diverticulitis may include anti-inflammatories for mild cases or antibiotics, a liquid diet, or surgery for more serious cases.

Hemorrhoids may develop inside or outside of the anus. Hemorrhoids are veins in the anus that become swollen, or dilated, due to excessive pressure. This may be due to straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, standing, or frequently sitting still for long periods of time.

Symptoms

People may experience symptoms of swollen hemorrhoids. These may include:

• itching
• bleeding
• pain
• burning
• prolapse
• mucus discharge
• swelling
• difficulty keeping the anus clean

Treatment

The first step in treating hemorrhoids includes making dietary and lifestyle changes. These include:

• minimizing straining during bowel movements by adding more fiber, hydration, or stool softeners to the diet
• increasing minimally strenuous exercise, such as walking
• not spending excess time on the toilet
• avoiding aggressive wiping
• walking around more, which will keep the blood moving and prevent clotting

When lifestyle and dietary changes do not help, or if a person’s hemorrhoids are particularly painful, it is best to seek medical attention. A doctor may prescribe topical medications to help with swelling, pain, or itching. Over-the-counter medications may also help.

If the hemorrhoids are particularly large, seem swollen, or do not respond to other treatments, a doctor may recommend procedures such as rubber band ligation, laser therapy, or cryotherapy. Some people may require surgery.

Home remedies may also help treat hemorrhoids. Learn more about them here.

Ischemic colitis occurs when there is at least a 75% reduction in blood flow to the intestine for more than 12 hours. Ischemia can occur in the small or large intestine.

Symptoms

The symptoms of ischemic colitis include abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, and bloody diarrhea.

Treatment

The majority (80.3%) of cases are manageable without surgery.

Some treatment options include:

• bowel rest
• intravenous fluids
• broad-spectrum antibiotics

However, ischemic colitis has a high mortality rate if it gets to a point where surgery is necessary. For this reason, a doctor must intervene as quickly as possible.

Rarely, a person may need a blood transfusion. At other times, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent sepsis. Opioids may help with the pain.

Learn more about ischemic colitis here.

There are two types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis typically affects the rectum but may extend farther up into the large intestine. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the intestine.

IBD occurs in genetically predisposed people who experience an inappropriate immune response to the naturally occurring bacteria in the colon.

Symptoms

People with ulcerative colitis may have bloody diarrhea with or without mucus. They may also experience abdominal pain and a feeling of incomplete evacuation after bowel movements.

Crohn’s disease is associated with different symptoms that may not always include blood clots in the stool.

Treatment

Since IBD is an immune condition, doctors may prescribe immune-suppressing medications. The goals of treatment are to reduce flare-ups and induce remission.

Some drugs for IBD include:

• aminosalicylate agents
• oral glucocorticoids
• TNF-alpha monoclonal antibodies

Around 25% of people with IBD require surgical removal of the intestine.

People with colon cancer or growths in their colon, called polyps, often require a colonoscopy. During a colonoscopy, a gastroenterologist may remove the polyps or growths by polypectomy.

Polyps do not usually cause any symptoms, but sometimes, a person may notice blood clots in the stool or when wiping after a bowel movement.

Some people may see blood clots in the stool from the polyp removal. However, bleeding after polypectomy is common and usually resolves spontaneously without medical intervention.

Symptoms

Some people do not experience any symptoms of colon cancer. Doctors suggest that some people may experience:

• a change in bowel habits
• a constant urge to pass a bowel movement
• rectal bleeding with bright red blood
• black or dark colored stool
• cramping or abdominal pain
• weakness and fatigue
• unintentional weight loss

Anyone who experiences any of these symptoms should speak with a doctor or other healthcare provider about testing for colon cancer.

Treatment

In early stage colon cancer, a surgeon may operate on the colon to remove the cancerous lesions and surrounding tissue. Sometimes, people may require both surgery and medication.

Depending on the characteristics of the cancer cells, a doctor may choose from the following anticancer therapies:

• chemotherapy
• targeted therapy drugs
• immunotherapy

Colon cancer is preventable and highly treatable with early diagnosis. This is why the American Cancer Society recommend that people begin regular screening for colon cancer at 45 years until they reach 75 years.

A person should undergo screening to catch any early signs of the condition. It is most treatable at this stage.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia is a rare cause of upper digestive system bleeding.

Around 71% of people with gastric antral vascular ectasia are female, and the average age of people who have it is 73 years old.

Symptoms

People with gastric antral vascular ectasia may experience blood clots in the stool from bleeding in the stomach. They may also experience vomiting and abdominal pain.

To check the appearance of the stomach and upper intestine, a doctor will perform an endoscopy.

People with gastric antral vascular ectasia may have “a watermelon stomach,” which is characterized by small dilated blood vessels and patchy red areas in the stomach.

Treatment

Researchers are still studying potential treatment methods for gastric antral vascular ectasia.

People with severe bleeding may require a blood transfusion. Surgery and medications are also options. Medications, however, have yet to show any satisfactory or effective long-term results.

If a person finds blood in their stool, they should seek medical attention in order to rule out any life threatening or serious conditions.

If the blood appears in the form of blood clots, the person may have had an internal bleed for a while.

Bright red blood may indicate bleeding closer to the anus and rectum. Dark blood may indicate bleeding in higher areas of the digestive system, such as the stomach.

People who find blood clots in their stool should consult a doctor or other healthcare provider immediately.

Although some causes of blood clots in the stool are non-life-threatening, such as hemorrhoids, some causes are more serious.

For cancer, early detection is necessary to try to prevent worsening and spreading.

Once a doctor determines the cause of blood clots in the stool, they will direct the person to the most appropriate treatment.

Causes, treatments, and what to know

Blood clots can appear in stool for various reasons, such as peptic ulcers, diverticulosis, and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). The color of the blood may give clues as to the cause.

When a person finds blood in the stool, it may be bright red, dark, or black. The color of the stool or blood may indicate where exactly the bleeding is in the digestive tract.

Doctors may perform a colonoscopy or endoscopy to find the source of blood clots in the stool. Once the doctor determines the location and the cause of the bleeding, they will attempt to stop the bleeding and prevent it from recurring.

Read on to learn more about the different causes of blood clots in the stool, some other symptoms that may occur, and some possible treatments.

Share on PinterestPeptic ulcer disease is a possible cause of blood clots in the stool.

Peptic ulcer disease is characterized by disruptions in the protective lining of the stomach, esophagus, and small intestine.

The cause of peptic ulcer disease is acidic gastric secretions or pepsin damaging the inner layers of the wall of the upper digestive system.

Improved hygiene and sanitation practices, along with effective treatments and awareness of the negative impact of certain drugs on the digestive system, have lowered the prevalence of peptic ulcer disease.

Symptoms

The symptoms of peptic ulcer disease may vary depending on the location and severity of the ulcer. Some symptoms may include:

• abdominal pain
• blood clots in the stool
• weight changes
• bloating
• recurrent episodes of blood in the vomit

Treatment

Doctors often prescribe antisecretory drugs, including h3-receptor antagonists and proton pump inhibitors, for people with peptic ulcer disease.

For some people, drug therapy alone is insufficient to treat peptic ulcer disease, so surgery may be necessary.

People with diverticulosis have multiple sacs, or diverticula, that develop along the digestive tract. If these sacs become inflamed or infected and bleed, the condition becomes known as diverticulitis.

Symptoms

Often, people with diverticulosis do not have any symptoms.

If symptoms do occur, they may include:

• cramping
• abdominal pain
• alterations in bowel habits
• blood in the stool
• fever

Treatment

Increasing fluid and fiber in the diet can help prevent diverticulitis. However, if any symptoms of diverticulitis occur, it is very important to seek medical attention. In severe cases, inflamed or infected diverticula can burst, causing severe pain and possibly leading to death.

Treatment for diverticulitis may include anti-inflammatories for mild cases or antibiotics, a liquid diet, or surgery for more serious cases.

Hemorrhoids may develop inside or outside of the anus. Hemorrhoids are veins in the anus that become swollen, or dilated, due to excessive pressure. This may be due to straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, standing, or frequently sitting still for long periods of time.

Symptoms

People may experience symptoms of swollen hemorrhoids. These may include:

• itching
• bleeding
• pain
• burning
• prolapse
• mucus discharge
• swelling
• difficulty keeping the anus clean

Treatment

The first step in treating hemorrhoids includes making dietary and lifestyle changes. These include:

• minimizing straining during bowel movements by adding more fiber, hydration, or stool softeners to the diet
• increasing minimally strenuous exercise, such as walking
• not spending excess time on the toilet
• avoiding aggressive wiping
• walking around more, which will keep the blood moving and prevent clotting

When lifestyle and dietary changes do not help, or if a person’s hemorrhoids are particularly painful, it is best to seek medical attention. A doctor may prescribe topical medications to help with swelling, pain, or itching. Over-the-counter medications may also help.

If the hemorrhoids are particularly large, seem swollen, or do not respond to other treatments, a doctor may recommend procedures such as rubber band ligation, laser therapy, or cryotherapy. Some people may require surgery.

Home remedies may also help treat hemorrhoids. Learn more about them here.

Ischemic colitis occurs when there is at least a 75% reduction in blood flow to the intestine for more than 12 hours. Ischemia can occur in the small or large intestine.

Symptoms

The symptoms of ischemic colitis include abdominal pain, abdominal tenderness, and bloody diarrhea.

Treatment

The majority (80.3%) of cases are manageable without surgery.

Some treatment options include:

• bowel rest
• intravenous fluids
• broad-spectrum antibiotics

However, ischemic colitis has a high mortality rate if it gets to a point where surgery is necessary. For this reason, a doctor must intervene as quickly as possible.

Rarely, a person may need a blood transfusion. At other times, a doctor may prescribe antibiotics to prevent sepsis. Opioids may help with the pain.

Learn more about ischemic colitis here.

There are two types of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. Ulcerative colitis typically affects the rectum but may extend farther up into the large intestine. Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the intestine.

IBD occurs in genetically predisposed people who experience an inappropriate immune response to the naturally occurring bacteria in the colon.

Symptoms

People with ulcerative colitis may have bloody diarrhea with or without mucus. They may also experience abdominal pain and a feeling of incomplete evacuation after bowel movements.

Crohn’s disease is associated with different symptoms that may not always include blood clots in the stool.

Treatment

Since IBD is an immune condition, doctors may prescribe immune-suppressing medications. The goals of treatment are to reduce flare-ups and induce remission.

Some drugs for IBD include:

• aminosalicylate agents
• oral glucocorticoids
• TNF-alpha monoclonal antibodies

Around 25% of people with IBD require surgical removal of the intestine.

People with colon cancer or growths in their colon, called polyps, often require a colonoscopy. During a colonoscopy, a gastroenterologist may remove the polyps or growths by polypectomy.

Polyps do not usually cause any symptoms, but sometimes, a person may notice blood clots in the stool or when wiping after a bowel movement.

Some people may see blood clots in the stool from the polyp removal. However, bleeding after polypectomy is common and usually resolves spontaneously without medical intervention.

Symptoms

Some people do not experience any symptoms of colon cancer. Doctors suggest that some people may experience:

• a change in bowel habits
• a constant urge to pass a bowel movement
• rectal bleeding with bright red blood
• black or dark colored stool
• cramping or abdominal pain
• weakness and fatigue
• unintentional weight loss

Anyone who experiences any of these symptoms should speak with a doctor or other healthcare provider about testing for colon cancer.

Treatment

In early stage colon cancer, a surgeon may operate on the colon to remove the cancerous lesions and surrounding tissue. Sometimes, people may require both surgery and medication.

Depending on the characteristics of the cancer cells, a doctor may choose from the following anticancer therapies:

• chemotherapy
• targeted therapy drugs
• immunotherapy

Colon cancer is preventable and highly treatable with early diagnosis. This is why the American Cancer Society recommend that people begin regular screening for colon cancer at 45 years until they reach 75 years.

A person should undergo screening to catch any early signs of the condition. It is most treatable at this stage.

Gastric antral vascular ectasia is a rare cause of upper digestive system bleeding.

Around 71% of people with gastric antral vascular ectasia are female, and the average age of people who have it is 73 years old.

Symptoms

People with gastric antral vascular ectasia may experience blood clots in the stool from bleeding in the stomach. They may also experience vomiting and abdominal pain.

To check the appearance of the stomach and upper intestine, a doctor will perform an endoscopy.

People with gastric antral vascular ectasia may have “a watermelon stomach,” which is characterized by small dilated blood vessels and patchy red areas in the stomach.

Treatment

Researchers are still studying potential treatment methods for gastric antral vascular ectasia.

People with severe bleeding may require a blood transfusion. Surgery and medications are also options. Medications, however, have yet to show any satisfactory or effective long-term results.

If a person finds blood in their stool, they should seek medical attention in order to rule out any life threatening or serious conditions.

If the blood appears in the form of blood clots, the person may have had an internal bleed for a while.

Bright red blood may indicate bleeding closer to the anus and rectum. Dark blood may indicate bleeding in higher areas of the digestive system, such as the stomach.

People who find blood clots in their stool should consult a doctor or other healthcare provider immediately.

Although some causes of blood clots in the stool are non-life-threatening, such as hemorrhoids, some causes are more serious.

For cancer, early detection is necessary to try to prevent worsening and spreading.

Once a doctor determines the cause of blood clots in the stool, they will direct the person to the most appropriate treatment.

Treatment of proctological diseases – Altermed

Permanent promotion

Savings discount program

Get a client card Altermed

All branches

Until June 30, 2023

Proctologist’s appointment with video anoscopy

All branches

Subscribe to the newsletter

By sending an email I agree to the processing of my personal data in
in accordance with the requirements of the Federal
Law of July 27, 2006 No. 152-FZ “On Personal Data”

Making an appointment

FULL NAME *

Your phone number *

Your E-mail *

Desired date of admission *

Branch
Choose branch:
Etc. Enlightenment
Starry
Leninsky pr.
Kupchino
Etc. Bolsheviks

Doctor’s specialization

Gynecology
Urology
Proctology
Cosmetology
Dermatology
Phlebology
Analyzes
Uzi
Cardiology

A comment

By sending an email, I agree to the processing of my personal data in accordance with the requirements of the Federal Law of July 27
2006 No. 152-FZ “On Personal Data”

Close

St. Petersburg, Engels Ave., 139/21 (entrance from Prospekt Prosveshcheniya)

m Prosveshcheniya

See on the map

St. Petersburg, Lensoveta street, 88 (entrance from Zvyozdnaya street)

m Zvyozdnaya

See on the map B

m Leninsky pr.0003

m Kupchino

See on the map

St. Petersburg, Bolshevikov Ave., house 7k2.

Attention: the building has free parking for 1 hour.

m Ave. Bolsheviks

See on the map

Close

Thank you! Your request has been sent,
we will reply to you as soon as possible

Blood in stool, rectal bleeding

		(3812) 70-03-03 +7 913 147-78-27
		Omsk, st. 70 years of October, 16/4

Mon – Fri from 8:00 to 20:00
Sat – Sun from 9:00 to 16:00

Blood in stool, rectal bleeding

In acute anal fissure, the pain in the anus is very intense and usually worsens with defecation. Very intense pain is also observed in acute hemorrhoids and paraproctitis, but it has nothing to do with defecation.

Dull, persistent pain is characteristic of diseases such as chronic hemorrhoids, rectal fistula, and anal cancer. Pain in the anus is a direct indication to see a doctor.

Symptoms associated with bleeding from the rectum:

• Blood in stool
• Bloody stool
• Bloody stools

Blood in the stool may be bright red, burgundy, black and easily visible, or occult (not visible to the naked eye). The causes of blood in stools range from harmless ones like gastrointestinal irritation to serious conditions like hemorrhoids and cancer.

Bleeding from the rectum (bloody stool) refers to bright red blood from the anus, often mixed with stool and/or blood clots. Rectal bleeding from the colon, rectum, and anus is more common.

The color of blood during rectal bleeding often depends on the site of bleeding in the gastrointestinal tract. As a general rule, the closer the bleeding source is to the anus, the brighter the blood will be. Thus, bleeding from the anus, rectum, and sigmoid colon is usually bright red, while bleeding from the rectum and transverse colon (the transverse and large intestine a few meters from the anus) is usually dark red or burgundy.

In some cases, bleeding from the anus may be black and foul-smelling. Black, smelly and tarry feces are called melena. Melena occurs when blood is in the colon long enough and long enough for bacteria to multiply to break it down into chemicals (hematin) that are black. Thus, Melena usually means bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract (eg, bleeding from a stomach or duodenal ulcer, or from the small intestine).

Sometimes melena can be the result of bleeding from the right side of the colon. On the other hand, blood from the sigmoid colon and rectum usually does not stay in the colon long enough for bacteria to turn black stools. Rarely, massive bleeding from the right colon, from the small intestine, or from a gastric or duodenal ulcer can result in rapid blood transfer through the gastrointestinal tract resulting in bright red rectal bleeding. In such situations, the blood moves so fast that there is not enough time for the bacteria to turn the blood black.

Occasionally, bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract may be too slow to look like rectal bleeding or melena. This is occult bleeding (not visible to the naked eye). Blood in the stool is only detected by tests (faecal occult blood testing) in the laboratory.

Bleeding is often associated with anemia – the loss of iron along with the blood (iron deficiency anemia).

Blood streaks in normally formed or loose stools. Causes can be: tumors (malignant and benign) of the gastrointestinal tract, ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease, intestinal diverticula, etc.

Unaltered scarlet blood not mixed with stool. Most often indicates bleeding from hemorrhoids of the rectum or anal fissures. Bright red blood in the stool is a common symptom of hemorrhoids. Most often we are talking about the release of scarlet blood without clots, in rare cases, dark blood with clots may appear. With hemorrhoids, the vast majority of bleeding occurs during or immediately after a bowel movement, less often between bowel movements.

Bleeding from the anus is also characteristic of anal fissure, but the portion of blood is very small, it is released during or immediately after defecation.

Allocation of scarlet blood also occurs in rectal cancer, therefore, if bleeding occurs, you should consult a doctor for a digital examination, as well as sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy.

Black liquid stool indicates massive bleeding from any part of the gastrointestinal tract. The black color of the stool is due to a change in the blood under the action of hydrochloric acid in the stomach. The cause of such massive bleeding may be ulcers or erosions of the stomach or duodenum, varicose veins of the esophagus (a manifestation of cirrhosis of the liver), certain drugs and toxic substances. In addition, bleeding can be caused by malignant neoplasms of the gastrointestinal tract.

Diseases in which there may be bleeding from the rectum

• Anal fissure
• Bowel cancer
• Colon Polyps
• Crohn’s disease
• Diverticulitis (diverticulosis)
• Hemorrhoids
• Peptic ulcer
• Stomach cancer

Possible causes of bleeding from the rectum

• Varicose veins of the esophagus

The appearance of blood in the stool is always a formidable symptom that requires the participation of a doctor. A slight, one-time appearance of scarlet blood, not mixed with stools for constipation, can be caused by overstretching and rupture of the anus by too hard feces and does not require medical intervention.

Infectious causes of blood in the stool

Dysentery (shigellosis) is a disease caused by bacteria of the genus Shigella. Bacteria most often infect the lower part of the colon, causing damage to the mucosa, which is manifested by frequent loose stools (10-30 times a day) mixed with blood, a large amount of mucus, and pus. Also characteristic are pronounced cramping pains in the abdomen, false painful urge to defecate – tenesmus; in addition, there is a pronounced intoxication – fever, fever, weakness, pain in muscles and joints.

Amoebiasis is a protozoal infection (meaning that the causative agent is a protozoan, an amoeba). Amoebas also infect the large intestine, which causes frequent, loose stools in small portions mixed with blood, mucus and pus. Amebiasis, in the absence of adequate treatment, is prone to a chronic course, which occurs as a result of the formation of chronic intestinal ulcers.

Balantidiasis is an infection also caused by the protozoan balantidia.