Side Effect: Blood in Stool

What is Blood in Stool?

Blood in the stool, also known as gastrointestinal bleeding, or GI bleeding, refers to the presence of blood in the feces. The blood can be seen either on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement or blood can also be hidden and only detected through a stool test.

What does Blood in the Stool look like?

Blood in the stool can present as either melena or hematochezia.

Blood in Stool


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Who gets Blood in the Stool?

There are various causes of blood in the stool including hemorrhoids, anal fissures, diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer, and infections.

How to prevent Blood in Stool

Prevention of blood in the stool depends on the underlying cause. For example, maintaining a high-fiber diet and avoiding straining during bowel movements can prevent hemorrhoids and diverticulitis.

How to treat Blood in Stool

The treatment of blood in the stool in patients with cancer depends on the severity and stage of the cancer. Treatment options may include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, or a combination of these modalities.

References

1. Orpen-Palmer J and Stanley AJ. Update on the management of upper gastrointestinal bleeding. BMJ Med 2022;1(1):e000202.

2. Jacques J, Legros R, Chaussade S, Sautereau D. Endoscopic haemostasis: an overview of procedures and clinical scenarios. Dig Liver Dis 2014;46(9):766-776.

Created: March 26, 2024 Updated: March 26, 2024