Don't be a fool, to ignore Blood in Stool!

Blood in Stool

#BloodInStool should never be considered as normal.

It may be seen in the form of small stain on stool or on tissue paper, in the commode after passage of stool, drops along with stool or an intermittent/continuous stream. In some cases, the stool may also appear to be tarry black or dark red color. It’s can be sign of a disease ranging from a small trivial #fissure or a #hemorrhoid to Colon #Cancer or #IBD (#Crohns Disease / #Ulcerative Colitis).

Any of the following associated complaints should raise an alarm & such bleeding be taken very seriously, with a need for detailed investigations to rule out any life-threatening condition.

1. Large quantity of blood loss or frequent passage of blood – anything that you feel is abnormal.

2. Abdominal Pain

3. Fever

4. Weight loss & Lack of Appetite

5. Abdominal Distension

6. Alternate diarrhea & constipation / a change in “your routine” bowel habit.

7. Bleeding from any other sites

8. Jaundice

A detailed discussion with your Surgeon should include mention of all medicines that one might be taking, habits, travel history & any other information one might feel relevant to share.Not every patient needs extensive tests, a detailed history & initial examination can give a certain idea about the problem.

Your Surgeon may further advice relevant tests which may include

a. Complete Clinical Examination including #Anoproctoscopy

b. #Stool Examination

c. Blood Tests: Complete Hemogram, Coagulation Profile, Liver Function Tests, CRP, Tumor Markers, etc

d. #Sigmoidoscopy / #Colonoscopy

e. Ultrasound / CT Scan of Abdomen

Although vast majority of Blood in stool do turn out to be due to benign ano-rectal (#Fissure, #Hemorrhoids, #Fistulae) or Colonic causes (#Polyp, #Diverticulosis, #Colitis etc) conditions but it is best evaluated and then treated accordingly.

Blood in Stool

If you have any of the above symptoms, or have been diagnosed with any of the above conditions or have been advised Surgery, kindly get yourself evaluated by Dr Vishal Soni in OPD or visit our Emergency Services @ Zydus Hospitals, Ahmedabad, Gujarat.