An anal fissure is a tiny cut in the lining of the anal canal that causes a sharp burning pain during or after bowel movement. It is a common affliction that typically doesn’t lead to serious complications. Besides the pain, its symptoms may include itching and bleeding. A few streaks of blood may be seen on the tissue when wiping or in the toilet bowl after defecation. The sight of blood in the stool can be terrifying. If you’ve been suffering from anal fissures and bleeding at the same time, you will likely ask yourself, “Is the blood in my stool caused by anal fissure? How to stop the bleeding?”
Bleeding due to anal fissure can be described as the appearance of bright, red blood which is separate from the stool. Dark red blood on the stools may be caused by other conditions. Black, tarry stools can be caused by bleeding on the higher digestive tract.
More Serious Conditions that Cause Blood in Stools
Polyps or Colorectal Cancer
Polyps are benign cell growths that can bleed, grow, mutate, and progress to cancer of the colon or rectum, collectively known as colorectal cancer. Genetics, diet, smoking, alcohol intake, and inflammatory intestinal diseases are some risk factors for colorectal cancer. Its symptoms include blood in the stool, anemia, abdominal pain, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, and marked changes in bowel habits. A colonoscopy is the most common way to detect and confirm the presence of polyps and colorectal cancer.
Ulcerative Colitis
This is a chronic remitting-relapsing inflammatory bowel disease that causes irritation, swelling, or sores on the inner lining of the colon. Ulcerative colitis can adversely impact a person’s quality of life and its management is geared towards prolonging remission periods. Its symptoms vary depending on the severity of the attack and on the location of the inflammation. Signs of the disease may include rectal pain and bleeding, diarrhea mixed with blood or pus, anemia, abdominal pain, appetite and weight loss, fever, and fatigue. Children with ulcerative colitis may fail to grow normally. The condition is commonly diagnosed by evaluating medical history, conducting a physical examination, doing laboratory tests, and carrying out endoscopies of the large intestine.
Diverticulosis
Diverticular disease is the formation of small pouches or diverticula in the colon wall or lining of the bowel. Diverticula are formed by increased pressure of gas, liquid, or waste on vulnerable areas of the intestinal walls, such as what happens when straining during defecation. Its complications include rectal or diverticular bleeding and diverticular infection. It is diagnosed through a physical exam, digital rectal exam, and diagnostic tests which may include CT scans, X-rays, ultrasound, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, and blood tests. An angiography may be performed to locate the source of bleeding.
Peptic ulcers
Peptic ulcers are open sores in the inner lining of the stomach or the upper part of the small intestine. The ulcers develop when digestive juices which contain hydrochloric acid and pepsin cause damage to the weakened tissue or protective layer of the stomach or intestine. Long-term and excessive doses of anti-inflammatory drugs as well as infection with Helicobacter pylori can lead to ulcer formation and bleeding.
Is the blood in my stool caused by anal fissure? How to stop the bleeding? By now you may already have an idea on the possible cause of blood in your stool and you’re wondering what you can do to stop the bleeding.
Bleeding will likely stop once the cause is properly identified and treated. If the cause is anal fissure, bleeding will stop once the fissures are healed. Home treatments are often enough to heal most cases of anal fissures, while medical treatments are necessary for chronic fissures which persist for more than eight weeks.
If the blood in the stool is caused by more serious conditions, the condition has to be identified and treated accordingly. Bleeding should always be brought to the attention of a doctor for appropriate intervention and treatment.
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