Stool is a type of waste material produced by our bodies, and normal excretion can help reduce the occurrence of intestinal diseases. However, sometimes due to illnesses or other issues, abnormal bowel movements can easily occur. The most common manifestation is constipation, and some diseases can also lead to hematochezia, changes in stool color, and abnormal stool shape.
Abnormal bowel movements are often caused by intestinal diseases. Abnormal bowel movements refer to changes in the frequency, shape, and color of stool compared to normal conditions. These symptoms are often related to the spleen and stomach system and can reflect the nature of the disease, such as whether it is hot or cold, as well as the strength or weakness of the body's qi, blood, and body fluids.
The basic pathogenesis of abnormal bowel movements is the dysfunction of intestinal conduction caused by various factors. During clinical evaluation, it is important to consider not only the frequency, consistency, color, and odor of stool but also any accompanying symptoms.
Here are some examples:
1. Bright red and pasty stool may indicate acute hemorrhagic necrotic enteritis, which can be caused by overeating or eating unclean food.
2. Bright red blood droplets attached to the surface of the stool without mixing with the stool are commonly seen in internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids, and anal fissures. If blood is attached to the surface of the stool and the stool takes a flattened ribbon shape, it is advisable to consult a doctor for possible rectal cancer, sigmoid colon cancer, or rectal ulcer.
3. Dark red stool resembling jam and containing excessive mucus is often associated with amebic dysentery. The ameba in the stool is a parasite. Patients with bacterial dysentery may also excrete stool containing mucus and blood, but the odor is not as unpleasant as in amebic dysentery.
4. Tar-like, dark, and shiny stool is often indicative of bleeding from esophageal, gastric, or duodenal ulcers. Blood is originally red, but when it enters the digestive tract, the iron in hemoglobin combines with sulfides in fat to produce iron sulfide, resulting in tar-like black stool (usually when the blood volume exceeds 60 milliliters). Additionally, tar-like stool can also be seen in cases of esophageal varicose bleeding, continuous vomiting after overeating, or bleeding from ruptured vessels at the junction of the esophagus and gastric mucosa.
