Why Is There Blood in My Stool?

The causes of blood in stool include internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids, mixed hemorrhoids, rectal polyps, anal fistula or anal fissure, colorectal cancer, and ulcerative colitis. Here are the details:

1. Internal Hemorrhoids: The main manifestation of internal hemorrhoids is painless intermittent bleeding after defecation, with protrusion of hemorrhoids during defecation, which can be manually reduced. In severe cases, the hemorrhoids may not be able to be reduced or may protrude again after reduction.

2. External Hemorrhoids: External hemorrhoids are mainly manifested as discomfort, moisture, and itching in the anal area. If there is thrombus formation or subcutaneous hematoma, there will be severe pain during defecation.

3. Mixed Hemorrhoids: As the name suggests, the symptoms of internal and external hemorrhoids can coexist in mixed hemorrhoids. Clinically, doctors can diagnose hemorrhoids through visual examination of the anus, rectal examination, anoscopy, and other tests.

4. Rectal Polyps: Rectal polyps can easily be misdiagnosed as protruding hemorrhoids when they protrude outside the anus. In addition, rectal polyps can also manifest as fresh red blood on the surface of the stool during defecation, especially when there is diarrhea or dry stool, which makes it easier to bleed.

5. Anal Fistula or Anal Fissure: Anal fistula is an abnormal passage connecting the anal canal or rectum with the skin around the anus, which intermittently extrudes pus or bloody pus, stimulating the local skin and causing itching and pain. It is most common in young men. Anal fissure is a full-thickness tear or ulcer of the anal canal skin, which is usually caused by dry stool stimulating the wound during defecation, resulting in minor bleeding and severe pain.

6. Colorectal Cancer: Colorectal cancer includes rectal cancer and colon cancer. Early colorectal cancer usually has no symptoms, but in the middle and late stages, it can manifest as increased frequency of bowel movements, diarrhea, constipation, blood in the stool, mucus or pus, abdominal pain, abdominal masses, and other symptoms. Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignancies in China, affecting middle-aged people over 40 years old. Many people mistake blood in the stool as hemorrhoids, which delays the best treatment timing, which is a very regrettable thing.

7. Ulcerative Colitis: Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease caused by multiple factors. It can manifest as diarrhea, mucus and bloody stool, abdominal pain, fever, and other symptoms, and is most common in young and middle-aged people aged 20-40 years.