Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Aug 20, 2017 Dr Zulfikar Bux, Features / Columnists
By Dr Zulfikar Bux
Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine
Blood in the stool can be frightening, whether you discover it while wiping after a bowel movement or from a test ordered by your health care provider. While blood in stool can signal a serious problem, it doesn’t always. Because of its sensitivity, some persons keep their bloody stool a secret. It is estimated that up to 10% of adults bleed in their stool.
Today we will shed some light on bloody stool and hopefully make it easier to talk about it.
WHAT ARE BLOODY STOOLS?
“Stools” is another word for “bowel movements.” If you have bloody stools, you might see bright red blood:
In some cases bloody stools look like black tar rather than like they have blood on them. Stools that look like tar are usually caused by bleeding high up in the digestive system such as the stomach.
WHAT CAUSES BLOODY STOOLS?
The two most common causes are not usually serious:
Below are other causes of bloody stools that may indicate badness:
WHAT OTHER SYMPTOMS SHOULD YOU WATCH FOR?
These symptoms can show what is causing your problem and may indicate badness:
WHAT TEST CAN BE DONE FOR MY BLOODY STOOL?
Your doctor will decide which tests you should have based on your age, other symptoms, and individual situation.
Here are the most common tests doctors use to find the cause of bloody stools:
HOW ARE BLOODY STOOLS TREATED?
Treatment depends on what is causing your bloody stools. You might not need treatment. If you do, treatments might include:
CAN BLOODY STOOLS BE PREVENTED?
If you have hemorrhoids, you can reduce the chances of getting bloody stools again by drinking lots of water and eating lots of fibre. Fibre is common in fruits, vegetables, and breakfast cereal. You might also need medicines to prevent constipation (trouble having bowel movements).
WHAT IF MY CHILD GETS BLOODY STOOLS?
In children and babies, bloody stools can be a symptom of:
If you notice blood in your child’s diaper or bowel movements, take him or her to see the doctor. You should not be afraid to get your bloody stool checked out. The earlier your doctor figures out the cause, the better the chances of you overcoming your “bloody situation”.
LISTEN HOW JAGDEO WILL MAKE ALL GUYANESE RICH!!!
Apr 24, 2024
Round 2 GFF Women’s League Division One Kaieteur Sports – The Guyana Police Force FC on Saturday last demolished Pakuri Jaguars FC with a 17 – 0 goal blitz at the Guyana Football...Kaieteur News – Just recently, the PPC determined that it does not have the authority to vitiate a contract which was... more
By Sir Ronald Sanders Waterfalls Magazine – On April 10, the Permanent Council of the Organization of American States... more
Freedom of speech is our core value at Kaieteur News. If the letter/e-mail you sent was not published, and you believe that its contents were not libellous, let us know, please contact us by phone or email.
Feel free to send us your comments and/or criticisms.
Contact: 624-6456; 225-8452; 225-8458; 225-8463; 225-8465; 225-8473 or 225-8491.
Or by Email: [email protected] / [email protected]