Blood in the feces, also known as hematochezia, occurs when blood from the gastrointestinal tract leaks into a person's stool. It can be caused by a variety of conditions ranging from harmless---as with hemorrhoids---to life-threatening diseases like colon cancer.
Gastric Ulcer
Stomach bleeding is usually caused by gastritis or a peptic ulcer. Blood originating in the stomach will generally be black and tarry in appearance due to oxidation that occurs as it travels through the digestive tract. According to NIH.gov, NSAID pain relievers like ibuprofen, aspirin and naproxen are common causes of stomach bleeding and gastritis, even in those without an ulcer.
In addition to blood in the stool, symptoms of an ulcer include gastroesophageal reflux, vomiting of coffee ground-like material and a gnawing, burning pain in the upper abdomen. Risks associated with ulcers include anemia and stomach perforation, the latter of which constitutes a medical emergency.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
Intestinal bleeding can have a variety of causes, the most common being inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Conditions classified as IBD include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, both of which are capable of causing blood in the feces. Blood from the intestine can be dark or bright red, depending on its location in the digestive tract.
Other symptoms of IBD include diarrhea, weight loss, vomiting and abdominal pain. While not generally dangerous on its own, untreated or longstanding IBD increases the risk of developing colon and colorectal cancer, according to AAFP.org.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus or rectum. According to NIH.gov, hemorrhoids are one of the most common causes for bleeding in the lower GI tract. The blood caused by hemorrhoids is usually bright red in color and may be present on toilet paper as well as in the feces. Anal fissure---a tear in the tissue of the anus---can also cause bleeding that's similar in appearance to that of hemorrhoids.
Symptoms of hemorrhoids include pain and itching, lumps in the anal area and pain during bowel movements. Hemorrhoid pain is generally worse when sitting or defecating, but it can be eased using over-the-counter medications like Preparation H.
Cancer
Rarely, fecal blood can indicate a serious disease like cancer. While tumors located anywhere in the digestive tract can cause bleeding, colon and rectal cancers are the two most common types. Bleeding caused by cancer can range in color from black and tarry (stomach) to bright red (lower intestines, rectum).
Additional symptoms of colon and colorectal cancer include sudden weight loss, change in bowel habits, fatigue and weakness. According to MayoClinic.com, most people experience no symptoms until the disease has progressed beyond the early stages, making early detection all the more important.
Warning
While blood in the stool is often harmless, fecal blood may signal a more serious condition like bowel perforation or cancer. If you experience blood in the stool, see your doctor to avoid potentially negative outcomes.
