Bloody bowel movements can be a sign of serious disease

Bloody bowel movements cannot be taken lightly. This can be a sign of a serious problem related to one's health. The amount of blood in the stool can vary. Ranging from very little and can only be known by a special examination or look on the tissue when cleaning, to stool that is dark, even blood red. Some health conditions that may cause bloody bowel movements include:

• Esophageal problems

Tearing that occurs in the esophagus can cause bleeding. This might also trigger bloody bowel movements.

• Gastritis

Inflammation in the stomach due to excess stomach acid production, over time can cause bleeding in the stomach, can even cause damage to the stomach lining, causing injury or known as peptic ulcers.

• Colitis

Inflammation that occurs in the large intestine and rectum can cause a person to have diarrhea with feces mixed with blood. Generally the blood contained in feces comes from inflammation in the intestinal wall.

• Diverticulosis

Is the formation of diverticula, which are small sac-shaped protrusions on the walls of the large intestine. Although diverticula generally does not cause problems, if there is infection and inflammation (diverticulitis), it can also cause bloody bowel movements.

• Fissura ani

A tear or injury to the tissue around the anus can cause bloody bowel movements. Large and hard stool size can cause anal fissure, in this condition bowel movements can be painful.

• Hemorrhoids

Is the most common cause of bloody bowel movements. This condition is known as hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids, which is characterized by blood vessels around the anus that are enlarged and prone to cause bleeding

• Polyps or cancer

Polyps are benign tumors that can grow, bleed and potentially become cancerous. Often the blood in the stool is not visible, even in conditions that have developed into colorectal cancer.

Note the Color of the Blood that Appears

The color found in the stool is often associated with the location of bleeding that occurs in the digestive tract. In bleeding that occurs around the anus, bloody bowel movements tend to be bright red. Meanwhile, bleeding in the large intestine will make the stool becomes dark red. Then, bleeding that occurs in the small intestine, stomach and other upper gastrointestinal tract, will cause a stool color effect that turns blackish red. Well, if you feel the color of the stool is not as usual, do a check with the doctor to find out the cause of bloody bowel movements. Your doctor may collect historical data on your illness, assess your risk factors, and proceed with a physical examination. Then the doctor may also recommend an examination by taking stool samples containing blood for laboratory analysis. In addition to stool examination, other investigations such as endoscopy in the form of colonoscopy and esophago-gastro-duodenoscopy (EGD) to see the structure and condition of the digestive tract, blood tests, or other examinations may be recommended based on medical history and physical examination results that have been done.

How to Overcome Bloody Defecation

Mild bloody bowel movements may not require medical treatment. Home care recommended by doctors can be in the form of:

• Consume enough water, at least 8-10 glasses per day
• Increase consumption of fibrous foods. If necessary, consume supplements to meet your daily fiber needs.
• Avoiding alcohol consumption.
• Soak in warm water.
• Avoid sitting on the toilet too long
• Compress around the anus by using cold compresses to reduce pain.
• Bathing and cleansing the skin around the anus every day properly.

If the treatment is ineffective and bloody bowel movements still occur, your doctor will recommend certain medications to treat your bloody bowel movements. In addition, administration of drugs such as antibiotics can be given if bleeding is caused by gastric infection caused by bacteria, or anti-inflammatory drugs for colitis. In the case of bowel movements caused by polyps or cancer, the doctor may suggest surgery to remove polyps or cancer that cause bloody bowel movements. To avoid bloody bowel movements, a simple way that can be done is to prevent constipation or constipation. Get used to eating foods that are high in fiber, consume lots of water, reduce the consumption of caffeinated beverages, be diligent in exercising, to regulate bowel habits.