Rectal bleeding
Rectal bleeding is a small amount of bleeding from the bottom. It is usually not a severe problem, but consult a doctor since rectal bleeding can be a symptom of hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease, anal fissures, ulcers, and colorectal cancer.
Rectal bleeding symptoms
The symptoms vary depending on the cause of the bleeding. Mostly, all the causes of rectal bleeding are not severe and treatable. Some other symptoms you may have along with rectal bleeding are:
- Rectal pain or pressure
- Mental confusion
- Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
- Fainting
In rare, severe cases, rectal bleeding may lead to shock, so if you are undergoing any of the following symptoms, call for immediate help.
- A sudden drop in blood pressure
- Fast heart rate
- Unable to urinate
- Slipping into unconsciousness
How to check for rectal bleeding?
You might undergo rectal bleeding, if:
- You find blood on your toilet paper
- Blood streak on your stool
- Your toilet water turns pink
- Bloody diarrhea
- Dark and smelly stool mixed with blood
In rare cases, the bleeding won’t be visible to the naked eye and is only seen through a microscope during a lab test.
Consult a doctor if
- Your child has blood in their stool
- You have blood in your stool for more than three weeks
- You have a lot of pain around the bottom
- You find a lump in your abdomen
- You are more tired than usual
- You lose weight abruptly
A doctor might prescribe you:
- Rectal examination
- Stool sample testing
- Refer you to a specialist
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022