What causes hemorrhoid blood color? What are the symptoms of bleeding hemorrhoids? How to treat and prevent hemorrhoids that bleed?

Understanding Hemorrhoids and Bleeding

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in and around the anus and rectum. Passing a small amount of bright red blood with stool is often the only sign that a person has hemorrhoids. Straining during a bowel movement is the main reason for bleeding hemorrhoids. Other triggers include diarrhea or constipation and sitting or standing for a long time. They can also happen during pregnancy or after lifting a heavy item. Signs of bleeding hemorrhoids include bright, red blood staining the toilet paper or feces.

Causes of Hemorrhoid Bleeding

Everyone has hemorrhoidal tissue inside their anal canals. It consists of blood vessels, connective tissue, and muscle. When a person strains, sneezes, or exerts themselves, hemorrhoidal tissue swells to prevent feces from leaving the body. In most cases, the tissue returns to its usual size, but sometimes, it remains enlarged. When this happens, the enlarged tissue can form hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids can bleed:

• after a bowel movement, especially if there is straining
• with diarrhea or constipation
• after sitting or standing for a long time
• during pregnancy
• when lifting a heavy object
• if a blood clot blocks the blood supply, leading to ulceration and dead tissue

Symptoms of Bleeding Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids often remain inside the anal canal, but sometimes they bulge outward from the anus and become visible outside of the body. Either type can bleed, but only external ones are painful.

If hemorrhoids bleed, a person may see traces or streaks of bright, red blood:

• on tissues after wiping
• in the toilet bowl
• in the stool

If the blood is dark red, the person should notify a doctor as this can indicate a problem higher up in the gastrointestinal tract.

Thrombosed Hemorrhoids

A thrombosed hemorrhoid is when a blood clot develops within the hemorrhoid. As the swelling increases, pressure from surrounding tissues or stool can cause the hemorrhoid to rupture and bleed, often at the end of a bowel movement. This can lead to significant bleeding. There may also be severe pain. A person should seek medical help at once if they notice:

• severe pain
• constant bleeding from the hemorrhoid
• more than a few drops of blood in the toilet bowl, perhaps with blood clots
• a bluish lump on the anus, suggesting a thrombosed hemorrhoid

Medical Treatments for Bleeding Hemorrhoids

Medical treatments for bleeding hemorrhoids will depend on the severity of symptoms, the size of the hemorrhoids, and whether the person has already tried other treatment options. The following are some treatment options that may take place in a doctor’s office:

• Rubber band ligation: Placing a small band at the base of an internal hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply.
• Sclerotherapy: Injecting chemicals into the hemorrhoid to make it shrink.
• Cryotherapy: Freezing the blood vessels to cause scarring and block the blood flow.
• Infrared photocoagulation: Using a laser to damage hemorrhoidal tissue, causing it to shrink and slough off.

If a person has large or bulky hemorrhoids or other treatments have not helped, more invasive surgery may be necessary, such as hemorrhoidectomy, stapled hemorrhoidectomy, or hemorrhoid artery ligation.

Home Remedies for Bleeding Hemorrhoids

Home remedies cannot resolve bleeding hemorrhoids, but they can help relieve hemorrhoids and their symptoms. Here are some home remedies to relieve discomfort and reduce the risk of further bleeding:

• Sitz bath: Sitting in a small plastic tub filled with warm water for up to 15 minutes can help maintain hygiene and relieve pain and irritation.
• Ice: Applying ice packs or ice cubes to the affected area can help reduce swelling and pain.

Preventing Bleeding Hemorrhoids

To prevent bleeding hemorrhoids, it’s important to maintain good bowel habits, such as avoiding straining during bowel movements, getting enough fiber in the diet, and staying hydrated. Pregnant women and those who have lifted heavy objects should be especially cautious. If symptoms persist or worsen, it’s best to seek medical attention to avoid further complications.

Causes, symptoms, treatment, and prevention

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in and around the anus and rectum. Passing a small amount of bright red blood with stool is often the only sign that a person has hemorrhoids.

Straining during a bowel movement is the main reason for bleeding hemorrhoids. Other triggers include diarrhea or constipation and sitting or standing for a long time. They can also happen during pregnancy or after lifting a heavy item.

Signs of bleeding hemorrhoids include bright, red blood staining the toilet paper or feces.

Most people can treat hemorrhoids at home. In more severe cases, surgery may be necessary.

In this article, we look at why hemorrhoids bleed and what symptoms to look for. We also provide information on home remedies, medical treatments, and when to see a doctor.

Everyone has hemorrhoidal tissue inside their anal canals. It consists of blood vessels, connective tissue, and muscle.

When a person strains, sneezes, or exerts themselves, hemorrhoidal tissue swells to prevent feces from leaving the body. In most cases, the tissue returns to its usual size, but sometimes, it remains enlarged. When this happens, the enlarged tissue can form hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids can bleed:

• after a bowel movement, especially if there is straining
• with diarrhea or constipation
• after sitting or standing for a long time
• during pregnancy
• when lifting a heavy object
• if a blood clot blocks the blood supply, leading to ulceration and dead tissue

Hemorrhoids often remain inside the anal canal, but sometimes they bulge outward from the anus and become visible outside of the body. Either type can bleed, but only external ones are painful.

Hemorrhoids, or piles, are the most common cause of bleeding from the rectum.

If hemorrhoids bleed, a person may see traces or streaks of bright, red blood:

• on tissues after wiping
• in the toilet bowl
• in the stool

If the blood is dark red, the person should notify a doctor as this can indicate a problem higher up in the gastrointestinal tract.

Thrombosed hemorrhoid

A thrombosed hemorrhoid is when a blood clot develops within the hemorrhoid.

As the swelling increases, pressure from surrounding tissues or stool can cause the hemorrhoid to rupture and bleed, often at the end of a bowel movement. This can lead to significant bleeding. There may also be severe pain.

A person should seek medical help at once if they notice:

• severe pain
• constant bleeding from the hemorrhoid
• more than a few drops of blood in the toilet bowl, perhaps with blood clots
• a bluish lump on the anus, suggesting a thrombosed hemorrhoid

Anyone with severe bleeding should seek medical help at once.

A thrombosed hemorrhoid also needs urgent treatment. Without treatment, thrombosed hemorrhoids can compress and damage the blood vessels in surrounding, healthy tissues.

If a person has symptoms of hemorrhoids that do not improve after 7 days, they should see a doctor.

What are some other causes of blood in the stool?

Medical treatments for bleeding hemorrhoids will depend on the severity of symptoms, the size of the hemorrhoids, and whether the person has already tried other treatment options.

The following are some treatment options that may take place in a doctor’s office:

• Rubber band ligation involves placing a small band at the base of an internal hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply. Hemorrhoids will usually fall off around 5–7 days later.
• Sclerotherapy involves injecting chemicals into the hemorrhoid to make it shrink. Scarring occurs in the blood vessels, stopping blood from flowing through them.
• Cryotherapy freezes the blood vessels, scarring the tissue and blocking the blood flow.
• Infrared photocoagulation uses a laser to damage hemorrhoidal tissue, causing it to shrink and slough off.

If a person has large or bulky hemorrhoids or other treatments have not helped, more invasive surgery may be necessary, such as:

• Hemorrhoidectomy: The doctor will numb the area with a local anesthetic, then cut the hemorrhoid away. For large hemorrhoids, a person may need general anesthesia.
• Stapled hemorrhoidectomy: The doctor will staple the hemorrhoids back inside of the anus.
• Hemorrhoid artery ligation: The doctor stitches the arteries that supply blood to the hemorrhoid, and it shrinks.

All these procedures aim to tie off the bleeding blood vessels so that they no longer bleed.

Learn more about hemorrhoid surgeries here.

Home remedies cannot resolve bleeding hemorrhoids, but they can help relieve hemorrhoids and their symptoms.

Here are some home remedies to relieve discomfort and reduce the risk of further bleeding:

Sitz bath

A sitz bath is a small plastic tub that fits over the toilet seat. Filling it with warm water, around 104°F or 40°C, and sitting in it for up to 15 minutes can help maintain hygiene and relieve pain and irritation. Do not add anything to the water.

Ice

Applying ice packs or ice covered with a cloth to swollen areas can help reduce hemorrhoid pain and inflammation.

Good toilet habits

Toilet habits that can help include:

• using the bathroom when the person feels an urge to go, without delay
• avoiding excessive straining or pushing
• limiting time on the toilet to 3–5 minutes
• avoiding excessive wiping

Water

If a person increases their water intake, it may help soften their stool, making it easier to pass. Less straining during bowel movements gives hemorrhoids a chance to heal.

Experts recommend a daily water intake of 64 fluid ounces or more for people with hemorrhoids.

OTC treatments include:

• creams or suppositories containing steroids, which reduce inflammation
• bulk-forming agents that work best when a person takes them in the morning and drinks plenty of fluids during the day
• stool softeners, which may contain polyethylene glycol or docusate
• rectal ointments containing witch hazel

Bleeding hemorrhoids often happen when a person strains when passing stool. Maintaining regular bowel movements can help prevent both hemorrhoids and bleeding. Other preventative measures include:

• increasing fiber intake
• drinking plenty of water
• exercising

Most cases of hemorrhoids resolve with conservative treatment, such as home remedies and OTC medications. Internal hemorrhoids have a 10–50% chance of returning in the next 5 years, but less than 5% after surgery. The chance of external hemorrhoids recurring after conservative treatment is over 50%, but only 5–10% after surgery.

Possible complications of both types of hemorrhoids and surgery include:

• infection
• thrombosis, where a blood clot forms
• incontinence

Following surgery, there is also a 30–50% chance of urinary retention.

Bleeding hemorrhoids can cause concern, but they do not always need medical intervention. If bleeding is heavy or persistent, however, or there is severe pain, a person should contact a doctor.

Adopting a high fiber diet and drinking plenty of water can help reduce the risk of hemorrhoids and bleeding.

A person should see a doctor if they have concerns about hemorrhoid symptoms, there is persistent or heavy bleeding, or they notice dark, red blood. The doctor will discuss treatment options with them and may carry out tests to rule out other conditions.

Here are some questions people often ask about bleeding hemorrhoids.

How do you treat a bleeding hemorrhoid?

To relieve discomfort, a person can take a sitz bath or apply ice wrapped in a cloth. OTC options can also help reduce inflammation and soften stool. Consuming plenty of water and fiber can help improve bowel movements and reduce the risk of straining, making hemorrhoids less likely to bleed.

Are bleeding hemorrhoids serious?

In most cases, occasional spotting with bright, red blood is not serious. However, if bleeding continues, there is severe pain, or the blood is dark red, a person should see a doctor, as these may be signs of a more serious condition.

Should I go to a doctor for bleeding hemorrhoids?

A person should see a doctor at once if bleeding is persistent or there is a lot of blood, which may include blood clots. They should also seek help if they notice dark, red blood, which can be a sign of problems in the stomach or intestines.

How long does it take for a bleeding hemorrhoid to heal?

This will depend on the individual, but if it persists longer than a week or the person is unsure why it is happening, they should see a doctor.

Read the article in Spanish.

Rectal Bleeding | Hemorrhoid Centers of America

Causes of Rectal Bleeding

Rectal Bleeding may be caused by hemorrhoids or something more serious. Find out what is causing your bleeding and get the right help.

The most common cause of rectal bleeding is from internal hemorrhoids. The blood is typically bright red and associated with bowel movements. It may be noticed on the tissue paper, on the surface of the stool, or drip into the bowel. The bleeding is typically mild and intermittent but occasionally is massive and causes anemia. Internal hemorrhoids are present in everyone. If they become dilated the blood vessels become friable and bleed. There may be associated rectal pain, swelling, itching, incomplete evacuation of stool, or leakage of stool.

Black Tarry stools are usually due to digested blood from the stomach or esophagus. There may be an ulcer, inflammation-gastritis, or varices-dilated blood vessels from cirrhosis of the liver. Black licorice, lead, iron, or Pepto Bismol can also cause black stools.

Red or maroon-colored stools, which may be foul smelling, is referred to as hematochezia or lower GI bleeding. Causes include diverticulosis, angiodysplasia, inflammatory bowel disease, polyps, cancer, colitis, radiation damage, or due to a connection between the colon and the aorta following aortic surgery and graft placement. This bleeding may be life threatening and requires immediate hospitalization.

Not all rectal complaints are due to hemorrhoids. Fissures, thrombosed external hemorrhoids, Colon or Rectal Cancer, Proctitis, STDs, Pruritus Ani from fungal or bacterial infections, Ulcerative Colitis, Diverticulosis, Arterio-venous malformations, Crohn’s disease, hemangiomas, and rectal varices are other causes.

Diagnosis of Rectal Bleeding

Do not assume the rectal bleeding is from hemorrhoids. A physical exam, rectal exam, sigmoidoscopy, and in some cases colonoscopy is mandatory to identify the cause of the bleeding and help rule out other conditions such as colon or rectal cancer. Associated change in bowel habits, weight loss, and abdominal pain mandate additional testing.New onset rectal bleeding in someone over the age of 35 that is not typical of hemorrhoids or does not respond to banding requires further testing with colonoscopy. Colon cancer incidence is increasing in people under the age of 45. Abdominal pain, diarrhea that persists, rectal bleeding, or iron deficiency anemia needs investigation. Sexually transmitted diseases of the rectum such as HPV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia , or herpes may also cause rectal bleeding. Selected patients under the age of 40 may also need colonoscopy as colon cancer does occasionally occur in younger individuals. Sexually transmitted diseases of the rectum such as HPV, syphilis, gonorrhea, or herpes may also cause rectal bleeding.

Colonoscopy

Colonoscopy is an important procedure for screening for colon polyps and cancer. Rectal bleeding, abdominal pain, change in bowel habits, and weight loss require consultation and frequently colonoscopy. Colonoscopy has helped reduce the incidence of colon cancer. It may be done in an endoscopy center.

Your doctor will outline bowel preparation for the procedure. You will likely be put under sedation during the colonoscopy. A flexible tube is used to look at the lining of the colon. A camera is used to record the results. Biopsies or removal of any polyps will be done. You will receive the results of any biopsies in about one week.

Treatment of Rectal Bleeding from Hemorrhoids

If the hemorrhoid bleeding does not stop with adding fiber to your diet and limiting your time on the commode to two minutes, it is time to have the blood vessels shrunk with rubber banding. Preparation H, steroid creams, cold compresses, and hemorrhoid suppositories may provide temporary relief. In addition to hemorrhoid banding custom compound medications containing Nitroglycerin, Diltiazem, or Nifedipine plus analgesics may be prescribed reduce anal pressure and pain.

Please do not delay seeing a physician qualified in the non-operative treatment of hemorrhoids because of your fears or embarrassment. Over half of us will suffer from hemorrhoids at some point in our life. Treatment using the O’Regan ligation system is quick and with minimal discomfort. It is extremely effective and has the lowest complication rate of any effective procedure done for internal hemorrhoids.

At the Hemorrhoid Centers of America, it is our goal to provide you with a non-painful treatment for your hemorrhoids (piles) and/or anal fissures. We understand the fear and embarrassment you may be feeling. Our staff will help you feel comfortable. Our treatment is covered by all major health insurance plans. If you are a new patient, please read over the new patient FAQs and the new patient paperwork for the location closest to you. For the most in depth information on hemorrhoids, anal fissures, constipation, itching, as well as post-banding instructions be sure to click on one of the links.

If you are having trouble with rectal bleeding, call The Hemorrhoid Centers of America- find closest location. </>

Blood after defecation – causes and treatment

Contents

1. Introduction
2. Causes of bleeding
3. Diagnosis and treatment

Some proctological diseases are accompanied by such a symptom as the discharge of blood from the rectum. It is impossible to call this symptom an independent pathology, but it is an important diagnostic sign of other diseases. Blood may leak during or after a bowel movement, and some find small traces of it directly in the stool or on underwear. The tissues of the rectum are dotted with a huge number of vessels, which is why in case of any damage, bleeding can be observed. Sometimes even intense bleeding does not cause any severe pain. That is why many patients prefer to ignore this alarming sign, instead of timely contacting a specialist to diagnose the causes of the problem.

Causes of bleeding

As practice shows, the most common cause of bleeding from the anus is hemorrhoids. This disease is equally common in both sexes, it is people of middle working age who suffer more and more often. Rectal bleeding with hemorrhoids is usually quite voluminous, while the blood comes out in a trickle and has a rich red color. Bleeding occurs against the background of constipation, when dense fecal masses injure internal hemorrhoids. In addition to damage to the nodes, a similar picture is possible with polyps in the colon. Bleeding is also observed in patients with anal fissure. Such a mucosal defect will cause significant discomfort to the patient. The pain is described by many as cutting or burning. If the patient has inflammation of the intestinal mucosa, then he may notice an admixture of blood in his feces. This is a typical symptom of proctitis. Among the most dangerous diseases in which this symptom is observed, it is worth noting intestinal ulcer and colorectal cancer. To clarify the diagnosis, you need to see a doctor.

Diagnosis and treatment

Detection of blood during bowel movements is a direct way to a consultation with a coloproctologist and a gastroenterologist. For the most part, the reason is in the domain of the first specialist. The appointment with this doctor consists of taking an anamnesis and directly examining. A properly collected history will allow the doctor to more accurately assess the patient’s condition. Inspection involves the study of tissues around the anus and the detection of pathological elements inside the rectum. To do this, use both the finger method and resort to instrumental procedures: anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy.

Treatment will be prescribed when the doctor can accurately determine the cause of the blood. And therapy can consist of conservative, minimally invasive, physiotherapeutic and surgical methods of exposure. If it’s all about hemorrhoids, then the patient is recommended to reconsider the lifestyle and diet, as well as prescribe drugs and procedures to reduce hemorrhoids in size, or completely remove them. Modern minimally invasive methods allow you to quickly and without pain remove enlarged nodes and significantly alleviate the condition of a person.

Even if the cause of bleeding is an oncological process that develops in the body, treatment can be successful in a large percentage of cases. The speed of diagnosis is what guarantees recovery.

Questions and Answers

Provided that there are no complaints and your immediate family has not had rectal cancer, it is recommended to visit a proctologist every 5 years.

If you feel discomfort, you should immediately contact a specialist!

A proctologist always cares about your convenience, which means that all diagnostic manipulations will be carried out as accurately as possible and in comfortable conditions!

Yes, there are a number of drugs that can affect the muscle contractions of the intestinal wall. However, in any case, do not prescribe medication yourself!

The use of laxatives, activated charcoal or other similar medications may have a positive effect. But their intake should not be systematic, since in many diseases, increased peristalsis causes serious bleeding.

Influencing peristalsis in a safe way is possible through increased physical activity and proper nutrition.

In this situation, you need to pay attention to the shade of the blood. The darker it is, the higher the gastrointestinal tract is affected. Bright red blood indicates damage to the lower intestine – the rectum.

If there are clots or bruises of varying intensity, be sure to consult a doctor. At best, it can be hemorrhoids, and at worst, oncology.

Itching may be caused by pathological conditions:

• enterobiasis;
• helminthiasis;
• hemorrhoids;
• anal fissure;
• allergic reaction;
• consequences of epilation, etc.

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Hemorrhoidal bleeding

Bleeding from the rectum is one of the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Bleeding may not be in contrast to the symptoms often encountered with hemorrhoids, such as prolapse of hemorrhoids, pain and itching. Constipation can contribute to bleeding from dilated hemorrhoidal veins. Moving along the rectum and contacting with enlarged hemorrhoids, solid feces can injure the hemorrhoids and cause bleeding from them. Hemorrhoidal bleeding can also provoke diarrhea. The more pronounced the disease, the more enlarged hemorrhoids and the stronger the inflammation in the anal area. This factor provokes the appearance of hemorrhoidal bleeding. Also, straining during childbirth can lead to hemorrhoidal bleeding. When bleeding from the anus, you should pay attention to its color, consistency, duration of such bleeding. In most cases, with hemorrhoids, blood is released after the act of defecation. Scarlet blood is excreted in drops or a trickle after the passage of feces. Sometimes streaks of scarlet blood can be seen on the stool.

The amount of blood released during hemorrhoidal bleeding can be from a few drops to 100-200 ml per day. Hemorrhoidal bleeding can develop suddenly, without connection with the act of defecation. It is possible that hemorrhoidal bleeding is not accompanied by pain. Differential diagnosis of hemorrhoidal bleeding with other pathologies accompanied by bleeding from the rectum is carried out as follows. Blood in the stool can appear with cracks in the rectum. In this case, the hemorrhoids are not enlarged. The blood escaping from the crack will also be scarlet. When dark blood or blood clots are isolated from the rectum, it is necessary to exclude villous adenoma, colon polyps, and colon cancer. Instrumental methods of research will help in this, for example, colonoscopy.

The diagnosis of hemorrhoids and hemorrhoid bleeding can be confirmed by examining the distal rectum. It is necessary to conduct a digital examination of the rectum. To exclude other pathologies of the rectum and sigmoid colon, an endoscopic examination of the large intestine (colonoscopy) or only the rectum (sigmoidoscopy) is performed. To establish whether hemorrhoidal bleeding significantly affects the body, a complete blood count is done. If in the general blood test a decrease in the amount of hemoglobin, erythrocytes, an acceleration of ESR is detected, this indicates the presence of anemia. If the volume of daily blood loss reaches 50-100 ml, the body is not able to cope with such a loss of hemoglobin, to compensate for its shortage. Patients begin to feel weakness, dizziness, outwardly they look pale. Hemorrhoidal bleeding, together with inflammation of the surrounding tissues, contributes to the accumulation and reproduction of pathogenic microflora. As a result, such hemorrhoids can be complicated by acute paraproctitis.

Timely treatment of diarrhea and constipation, adherence to a diet that ensures regular defecation and normal consistency of feces, avoidance of alcohol and spices. With hemorrhoids, it is necessary to consume vegetables and fruits daily, because the fiber they contain contributes to the normal formation of feces.