"What Other Conditions Can Cause Hemorrhoidal Bleeding Besides Hemorrhoids?"

Hemorrhoids and Other Causes of Rectal Bleeding

Rectal bleeding is a common symptom of hemorrhoids, but it can also be indicative of other conditions such as ulcerative colitis, rectal polyps, rectal prolapse, anal fissures, rectal cancer, and more. In addition to bleeding, patients may experience changes in stool consistency, anal fullness, pain, and itching. Here's a closer look at some of the underlying causes:

1. Ulcerative Colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammatory bowel disease with an unknown etiology. It is characterized by abdominal pain, diarrhea, mucus and pus-containing bloody stools, and a sense of urgency followed by incomplete evacuation. Rectal bleeding is a manifestation of this condition.

2. Rectal Polyps

Rectal polyps refer to projections from the surface of the rectal mucosa into the intestinal lumen. They can cause rectal bleeding, manifesting as bright red blood, pus-containing blood, or mucus-laden blood in stools.

3. Rectal Prolapse

Rectal prolapse involves the partial or complete downward displacement of the rectal wall, leading to varying degrees of anal incontinence and the leakage of intestinal mucus from the anus. Patients may also experience rectal bleeding, typically in the form of mucus-laden or pus-containing blood.

4. Anal Fissures

Anal fissures are tears or wounds in the skin surrounding the anal canal, often accompanied by pain that intensifies during bowel movements and subsides afterward. Dry, hard stools can damage the anal canal skin, leading to rectal bleeding, which may manifest as droplets of blood.

5. Rectal Cancer

Rectal cancer is a prevalent malignancy of the digestive tract, characterized by rectal bleeding, anal fullness, pain, and a sense of incomplete evacuation after bowel movements. Other symptoms include lower abdominal pain and diarrhea.

Beyond these conditions, rectal bleeding can also occur in diseases such as leukemia, thrombocytopenic purpura, and heart failure. Leukemia patients, for instance, may experience bleeding tendencies due to hematopoietic dysfunction, manifesting as skin and mucosal bleeding points, including rectal bleeding.

It is crucial for patients experiencing these symptoms to promptly seek medical attention to identify the underlying cause and receive timely treatment.