This Is Why You Might See Blood in Your Stool – Rectal Bleeding Causes

Some studies have shown that around 10% of people, within one year, have blood in their stool and this can be a very traumatic experience. The amount of blood is different in different people and the stool might look sticky and black, or even be the color of the plum. If you notice your stool to have this color, make sure you seek medical attention immediately.

What might be causing your black stool?

Usually, a bleeding in the digestive tract is the main cause of a black stool. If your stool has a tarry color it means that the bleeding is happening in the upper part of your digestive tract.

If your stool is of bright red color it means that the blood is fresh and it came from an area which is close to your anal area, or the anus.

These are the main reasons for bloody stools:

  1. Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are a condition which causes a lot of itching, discomfort, and pain. They usually go away on their own within a few days, but in the meantime, you can always use some over the counter creams to relieve your pain and to speed up the recovery.

  1. Anal Fissure 

Anal fissures can be really painful. Constipation and straining are the main causes of this condition. Usually, the fissures are noticeable and easily visible, so they can be diagnosed and treated immediately.

  1. Diverticulitis 

A diverticulitis is a pouch which appears in the colon, right where the blood vessels are.

  1. Peptic ulcer

It is a common misconception that ulcers are caused by stress, when in fact in 90% of the cases ulcers are caused by some kind of bacterial infection. If you want to reduce the risk of getting an ulcer make sure you stop smoking since this can affect the levels of gastric acid in your body.

  1. Gastroenteritis

If you notice your stool is turning into diarrhea or contains mucus and traces of blood then you have an infection of your intestines which can be a result of a bacteria, a virus or food poisoning.