Blood in the stool is never normal. The symptom is known as hematochezia, which means the stools are red or maroon colored. Hematochezia should always be reported to a doctor, as it can indicate a serious health condition or injury. Blood can come from anywhere in the digestive tract, beginning with the mouth and ending at the anus. How blood appears in the stool differs depending on the underlying cause.
Bright Red Blood
An open wound inside the digestive tract can cause maroon-colored stools or bright red blood. Drugs.com points out that this usually means the blood is coming from the lower part of the gastrointestinal tract. The lower GI tract is made up of the large bowel, rectum and anus. The source of the blood could be hemorrhoids, tumors, small cuts in the anal area, colon polyps, intestinal infection or inflammatory bowel diseases.
Intestinal infections are often caused by bacteria, such as E. coli or salmonella. E. coli is a bacteria commonly found in undercooked meat or mishandled dairy products. In addition to bloody stools, the individual can have diarrhea for a day or two, accompanied by abdominal cramping, nausea, vomiting or fever.
Black Stool
Black stool occurs when blood is mixed with the body's digestive juices, explains Drugs.com. This occurs when the upper part of the GI tract bleeds. Common causes of this type of bleeding include an open wound in the tract, stomach ulcers, inflammation of the stomach lining, poor blood flow to the intestines or the presence of a foreign body. Some ulcers and inflammation can be caused by the overuse of drugs like ibuprofen, naproxen and aspirin.
False Blood
Several consumable items can make the stool appear to contain blood. Examples include black licorice, lead, iron pills, bismuth medicines or blueberries. The stools from these items will often be black. Beets and tomatoes can cause the stools to appear reddish. A simple stool test can be done to rule out blood.
