There are different types of rectal bleeding, and you may see blood in the toilet or in your stool. The color of the blood can vary from dark maroon to bright red. This color helps your physician determine where the bleeding site may be located. Having rectal bleeding may be related to over exercising, but there are other causes of rectal bleeding as well.
Causes
Rectal bleeding can be caused by colon polyps, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, constipation, diarrhea, food poisoning, colon or rectal cancer, hemorrhoids, as well as many other conditions; however, MayoClinic.com states that the most common causes are constipation and hemorrhoids. If you have a gastrointestinal disorder, over exercising may cause you to have rectal bleeding. If this bleeding is accompanied by difficulty breathing, nausea, mental confusion, feeling cold or clammy, blurred vision or dizziness, get immediate medical attention.
Constipation
It is common to have rectal bleeding from becoming constipated and having very hard bowel movements. This can cause hemorrhoids and then bleeding. The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse states that the amount you exercise, along with your diet, can affect your bowel habits. The Clearinghouse notes that regular exercising keeps your gastrointestinal system healthier and your bowels active.
Over Exercising
If you have a healthy digestive system but still experience rectal bleeding, monitor the bleeding carefully and notify your physician if the bleeding continues or becomes more severe. Your rectal bleeding may or may not be related to over exercising. Long-distance runners who have digestive disorders may have induced bleeding from the strenuous exercise, according to Howard J. McGowan of the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. In other individuals with inflammatory bowel disease, exercise may reduce disease activity and should be encouraged.
Considerations
Share with your physician concerns you may have about rectal bleeding. Your physician may order diagnostic tests such as blood and stool studies, or a lower gastrointestinal series to check your intestines. You may be advised to change your dietary habits, such as increasing your fiber intake, drinking more fluids and following a regular -- but not overly strenuous -- exercise program. If you have a digestive disorder and are experiencing rectal bleeding, seek your physician's guidance to determine the amount of exercise your body can tolerate.
References
- Mayo Clinic; Rectal Bleeding; April 2009
- Kids Health: Compulsive Exercise
- National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse; What I Need to Know About Constipation; December 2008
- Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences; Physiologic Adaptations to GI Disorders and Exercise; Howard J. McGowan, Maj, USAF, MC
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Constipation; Steven D. Ehrlich, NMD; 2011
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