Can IBS cause bloody stools? What are the symptoms of IBS and rectal bleeding? When should you worry about rectal bleeding? Get the answers to these questions and more in this informative article.

Can IBS Cause Bloody Stools?

IBS can be a concerning and life-disrupting digestive issue. Many who have been diagnosed with IBS have a wide range of bowel-related symptoms such as bloating, cramping, abdominal pain, constipation, and diarrhoea. In many cases, the diagnosis of IBS is reached once other digestive problems have been excluded, such as coeliac disease, lactose intolerance, inflammatory bowel diseases, bowel cancer, and ovarian cancer. However, over time IBS symptoms can change, and if blood is visible in the stool, further investigations may be required to ensure no changes have taken place in the bowel.

IBS and Blood in Stool: Should You Be Worried?

Due to the nature of IBS, symptoms can change over time, with factors such as stress, medication, and diet playing a role. Rectal bleeding can be common in those with IBS-C, the type of IBS with constipation. It’s often caused by small tears in the anus due to fecal impaction, which is the increased load of feces in the rectum that places pressure on the lining, leading to injury. This would commonly be seen as bright red blood on the toilet paper. However, if there is a sudden change in IBS symptoms and persistent blood in the stool lasting for several days, this would require further investigation from a doctor or gastroenterologist to rule out anything else, particularly colon cancer, which has better treatment outcomes if diagnosed at an early stage.

When Should You Worry About Rectal Bleeding?

If symptoms of IBS change suddenly, particularly the frequency of bowel movements and increased pain, and are accompanied by an increase in the amount of blood, further examination would generally be advised. The shade and volume of the blood can also indicate the degree of concern. Typically, if the individual is constipated and the blood that is present is bright red and in small amounts, this is likely due to a small tear in the anus or haemorrhoids. However, if the blood appears darker, like “coffee grounds,” this may indicate a bleed higher up within the digestive tract and could require further investigation to rule out conditions such as colon cancer.

IBS and Rectal Bleeding: Understanding the Connection

While in severe cases of IBS, there may be blood, it is not a commonly experienced symptom. IBS may be caused by infections in the digestive tract or as the consequence of viral or bacterial gastroenteritis. In the acute period of these infections, bloody diarrhoea is not uncommon, but this would generally resolve once the infection has been cleared. In some individuals, general symptoms of IBS may remain and be termed post-infectious IBS (PI-IBS), but even following the infection, blood would not be a common occurrence.

IBS, Blood, and Mucus: What’s the Link?

The digestive tract has a thin layer of protective mucus covering its surface, which may shed on a daily basis and should not be visible in the stool. However, when the lining of the digestive tract becomes inflamed or irritated, mucus production is increased to protect it. This higher amount of mucus can often be visible in the stool of those with IBS and would be pale or white in colour. However, if there is a sudden increase in the amount of mucus produced alongside an increase in pain and the presence of blood, further investigation would often be suggested to investigate other causes such as colon cancer.

Bloating and Blood in Stool: Investigating the Connection

Bloating is one of the most common digestive symptoms and is present across a wide range of gut conditions, including IBS, SIBO, inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, ovarian cancer, and colon cancer. Due to its association with these other conditions, if bloating persists or worsens, further investigation can often be important to rule out any other underlying conditions. This would be particularly important if the bloating is accompanied by the presence of blood in the stool.

IBS and Rectal Pressure: Exploring the Relationship

In addition to the presence of blood in the stool, individuals with IBS may also experience rectal pressure, which can be a concerning symptom. This rectal pressure is often associated with the constipation-predominant type of IBS (IBS-C) and can be caused by the increased load of feces in the rectum, leading to a feeling of fullness or discomfort. If this rectal pressure is accompanied by the presence of blood, it is important to seek medical attention to ensure no other underlying conditions are present.