Could Eating Spicy Food Causing Blood in Stool Be a Sign of Colorectal Cancer?
Eating spicy food generally does not cause hematochezia but is rather a stress response caused by capsaicin stimulating the gastrointestinal mucosa, which is not directly correlated with bowel cancer. Hematochezia is commonly seen in lower gastrointestinal bleeding or caused by upper gastrointestinal diseases such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and intestinal polyps.
Non-pathological Factors:
Capsaicin, abundant in chili peppers, stimulates the gastrointestinal mucosa upon entering the body, leading to its damage and the rupture of local capillaries, thus resulting in hematochezia. However, this is not a cause of bowel cancer.
Pathological Factors:
- Hemorrhoids: Eating spicy food may exacerbate hemorrhoid symptoms, intensifying varicose veins in the hemorrhoid area. When pressure increases or stool is dry, hemorrhoids can be stimulated to bleed, manifesting as hematochezia.
- Anal Fissures: Chronic constipation or excessive straining during bowel movements can damage the anal canal skin, leading to anal fissures. Consuming spicy food at this time can aggravate bleeding, presenting as hematochezia and even severe anal pain during defecation.
- Intestinal Polyps: These are protrusions on the intestinal mucosa into the intestinal lumen. If polyps grow within the intestines, spicy food can irritate the intestinal mucosa, causing polyps to rupture and also leading to hematochezia.
- Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Conditions such as esophageal variceal bleeding, gastric cancer, and gastric ulcers can be aggravated by spicy food, stimulating the gastrointestinal mucosa and causing local vessel rupture, thus inducing hematochezia.
Apart from the above factors, esophageal cardia mucosal laceration syndrome and drug stimulation may also cause hematochezia. It is recommended that patients who experience hematochezia after consuming spicy food promptly seek medical attention for targeted treatment under a doctor's guidance to avoid delay in treatment. In daily life, attention should be paid to dietary hygiene, and spicy or irritating foods should be avoided to prevent exacerbation of symptoms.
