Bloody stool is an abnormal finding. Although on a microscopic scale our bodies discard spent and dead blood cells regularly, visible and/or testable blood in the stool reflects a problem. The presence of bright or dark "tarry" stools is very...
Blood and mucus in a child's stool can be alarming to parents. There are several causes of rectal bleeding, and doctors can determine the cause based on taking a careful history and an examination and through imaging and laboratory testing....
Colon cancer is often referred to as colorectal cancer because it begins in the colon or rectum. It usually develops over a 10- to 15-year period with no noticeable symptoms, according to "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." Screening is vital...
Not everyone needs iron supplements. A mineral necessary for red blood cell manufacture and oxygen transport, iron is found in all types of meat as heme iron and in plants as non-heme iron. Iron deficiency requiring supplementation occurs most...
A duodenal ulcer is an ulceration in the mucosal lining of the duodenum. It is believed that lifestyle, acid and pepsin, and H. pylori play a role in ulcer development, but H. pylori is considered to be the primary cause of an ulcer, states...
Plavix, the brand name for clopidrogel, is an anti-platelet agent available as a prescription only. It prevents platelets from sticking together and forming clots; this will help to lower the risk of a heart attack or stroke. Plavix is used in...
Yes, gastritis describes different diseases, not just one disease. It could refer to various conditions that are all related to the inflammation of the stomach lining as a result of bacterial infection. Gastritis can be caused by prolonged use of...
A protein shake is a quick, convenient and portable way to make sure your diet includes enough lean protein. Most of the time, protein intake will not have anything to do with your ability to urinate or have a bowel movement. If you are having the...
Allergic colitis is caused by an immune reaction to the proteins in your infant's diet. Most common proteins that trigger the condition are those found in cow, soy and breast milk, according to Children's Hospital Boston. Allergic colitis occurs...
The colon, also called the large intestine, is a five-foot long tube that connects to the small intestine at one end and the rectum at the other end. The colon absorbs up to three pints of water a day plus nutrients, and consolidates waste...
A colonoscopy is a test that can be used to diagnose bleeding in the stools, digestive issues or as a preventative measure to check for colon cancer. The test involves inserting a small camera into the rectum, by way of a thin tube. In order to...
The term "upset stomach" is a broad term relating to symptoms accompanying inflammation or other problems in the stomach or intestines. This inflammation is also called gastroenteritis and may result from infections, viruses, contaminated food or...
Cancers involving the colon and rectum, commonly referred to as colorectal cancer, occur in over 140,000 individuals in the United States each year and is the third leading cause of cancer deaths, according to 2010 information from the American...
Gastrointestinal bleeding or blood when a child passes stool can be, but is not necessarily, a sign of a serious health problem. However, Johns Hopkins Children's Center underscores the importance of finding the source of the bleeding. Bleeding...
Rectal bleeding is defined by MayoClinic.com as any bleeding that occurs from the lower colon to the rectum, the last part of the large intestine. Rectal bleeding is made apparent when blood is visible in the stool or on toilet paper. Blood...
Fresh blood in the stool is caused by bleeding in the digestive system. When the blood is fresh, it is generally caused by bleeding from the rectum or from the lower colon, because blood from higher in the gastrointestinal system (such as the...
MayoClinic.com defines rectal bleeding as bleeding that can begin from the lower colon to the last few inches of the large intestine, or rectum. Rectal bleeding may be discovered as blood in the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl....
Crohn's disease, a type of inflammatory bowel disease, causes inflammation of the digestive tract and can result in high levels of discomfort that may eventually prove to be life-threatening. However, there are several symptoms that will allow you...
Colon cancer is a type of cancer that forms in the rectum or large intestine. According to MedlinePlus, colon cancer usually begins as noncancerous polyps, originating in the glands that line the intestines. MedlinePlus also notes that there's...
The National Cancer Institute estimates that colon and rectal cancer will account for over 140,000 new cancer cases and more than 50,000 deaths in the United States in 2010. While colon cancer commonly responds to cancer treatment, especially if...
Pregnancy introduces many changes to nearly every system in the female body, including the digestive system. Dark stools can occur during pregnancy and may be accompanied by constipation depending on the cause of the dark stools. Discuss symptoms...
Gastrointestinal, or GI bleeding, encompasses bleeding from anywhere along the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. The GI tract is divided into the upper GI tract, including the mouth, esophagus, and stomach; and the lower GI tract, encompassing...
Small amounts of mucus in the stool are often normal. MayoClinic.com describes the lining of the intestines and colon as coated in a jelly-like substance that acts as a lubricant. When the intestines get irritated by any number of things the...
The colon makes up the major portion of the large intestine, which serves to complete the digestive process. Polyps, bits of swollen or overdeveloped membrane, sometimes grow inside the colon. Though initially benign, some polyps develop into...
External hemorrhoids appear on the outside of the anus and are painful, swollen and hard. This thrombosed hemorrhoid is due to a blood clot in the anal region. The pain can be severe, subsiding only after three to seven days. External hemorrhoids...
Gastrointestinal, or GI, bleeding, is any loss of blood from the GI tract. Blood loss can be occult, or lost in small undetectable amounts, or in larger life-threatening amounts. In any situation, blood loss is a condition that needs to...
Diclofenac sodium is typically taken in tablet form to alleviate pain associated with arthritis and joint inflammation. Many of the side effects of Diclofenac are mild and occur as an initial response to use. Other side effects and complications...
An unusual color of stool can be alarming, but it is not always a cause for concern. If fecal matter is dark black, tarry or bloody, especially on a recurrent basis, medical treatment is necessary. The University of Maryland Medical Center (UMM)...
Motrin (ibuprofen) belongs to a group of medications called nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). These drugs are used to relieve pain and reduce inflammation. Motrin is commonly used to treat the symptoms of arthritis, fever, menstrual...
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux disease, is caused by acid washing up the esophagus. Diet can help control GERD. Learn more about what to eat if you suffer from GERD in this video.
Gastritis is a term used to describe a group of conditions characterized by inflammation of the lining of your stomach. in some cases, gastritis can lead to ulcers and an increased risk of stomach cancer. For most people, however, gastritis isn't...
