Diarrhea is the medical term for watery, loose stool that occurs frequently. Often, abdominal cramping and pain accompany the diarrhea, and the diarrhea may occasionally have blood mixed with the stool. Bloody diarrhea may occur from many different sources including intestinal disorders and bacterial infections. All blood in the stool needs evaluation by a physician to determine the source and prescribe proper treatment.
E. Coli Infection
Escherichia coli (E. coli) are bacteria that cause a severe infection in the intestines. The bacteria live in the intestines of healthy cattle. Eating undercooked meat or unpasteurized milk exposes an individual to the bacteria. Symptoms of an E. coli infection include abdominal pains and bloody diarrhea. The bloody diarrhea typically lasts for two to five days, according to the American Academy of Family Physicians. Properly handling and cooking beef and avoiding unpurified water and unpasteurized milk help prevent a possible E. coli infection.
Shigellosis
Shigellosis is a bacterial infection in the intestines that individuals contract through direct contact with stool containing the bacteria or through contaminated food or water. Preschool children are most at risk for contracting this infection. Severe cases of a shigella infection cause bloody diarrhea.
Crohn's Disease
Crohn's disease is a chronic intestinal condition that causes an inflammation along the wall of the intestine. Symptoms associated with Crohn's disease include a fever, abdominal pain, weight loss and diarrhea that is sometimes bloody. The cause of the condition is unknown and there is not cure. The symptoms can spontaneously resolve and the disease can go into remission, according to the Merck Manual. The bloody diarrhea associated with Crohn's disease occurs most often when the inflammation affects the large intestine. Treatment for helping control this condition includes medications to stop the diarrhea, anti-inflammatory medication and surgery to remove the affected intestine.
Clostridium Difficile
Clostridium difficile are bacteria that occur naturally in the intestines. Most often, taking antibiotics causes overgrowth of the bacteria, which can lead to an infection. Symptoms of the infection include bloody diarrhea along with abdominal pain and a fever. The symptoms of this infection may end after discontinuing the antibiotics, or the condition may require additional antibiotics.
Colitis
An intestinal condition called ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers along the wall of the colon. The inflammation causes diarrhea to occur and the ulcers bleed. Bloody diarrhea is common with this disease. Medications and surgery help control the symptoms.
Ischemic colitis is an inflammation to the colon due to an injury or lack of blood flow to the area. Symptoms of ischemic colitis include diarrhea with blood and sometimes the passage of blood without stool. Surgical procedures and medications, such as blood thinners, help heal the injured intestines.
Anthrax
Anthrax infections occur after exposure--usually through a skin wound, ingestion or after inhalation--to a bacterium called Bacillus anthracis, according to the Mayo Clinic. Severe cases of anthrax--caused by ingestion--cause bloody diarrhea to occur. Antibiotics help treat the infection.
Whipworm Infection
A whipworm is a type of roundworm that infects the intestines after you swallow soil contaminated with the worm eggs. Many times, there are no symptoms associated with the worm infestation, but the worms may cause bloody diarrhea. Treatment of the worms involves a medication used to treat worm infestations, according to Medline Plus.
