Rectal bleeding (bleeding from the bottom) is often noticed as small amounts of bright-red blood on toilet paper or a few droplets that turn the water in the toilet pink. You should always get rectal bleeding checked. Don't let embarrassment stop you seeing your GP.
Blood from your stool could look bright red, or it might be dark red or black. How the blood looks depends on where it is coming from. Spots of red blood on the toilet paper, drops in the toilet bowl, blood on the surface of your stool or in your underwear indicate the bleeding is coming from the anus or lower rectum.
It is common to see blood on the toilet paper, around the stool (poo), or in the toilet after a bowel motion. This is known as rectal bleeding and it can occur for many reasons. Most of the time rectal bleeding is not a sign of a serious illness, but it is important to see your doctor.
Bloody diarrhea is loose, watery stool with blood mixed in. The blood may be bright red, dark red, or black, depending on where the bleeding occurs in your digestive tract.
Common benign (non-serious) causes — If you see a small amount of bright red blood on the toilet paper after wiping, on the outside of your stool, or in the toilet, this may be caused by hemorrhoids or an anal fissure. Both of these conditions are benign, and there are treatments that can help.
What triggers rectal bleeding? There are several likely causes of mild rectal bleeding that does not require treatment, such as temporary constipation or hemorrhoids, as well as dehydration, which can result in hard stools that injure the anus or rectum while passing.
If you're experiencing diarrhea and your poop is red, it could be a sign that you have a viral or bacterial infection, like an E. coli infection, or rotavirus, which is sometimes called the stomach flu, or a stomach bug. Red poop may also be the result of bleeding in the lower part of your digestive tract.
Seek immediate medical attention
Have someone drive you to an emergency room if rectal bleeding is: Continuous or heavy. Accompanied by severe abdominal pain or cramping.
COVID-19-related diarrhea and nausea
Diarrhea caused by COVID-19 tends to be more watery, yellow or green in color. It may be accompanied by cramping and bloating.
Blood from a hemorrhoid will look bright red on a piece of toilet paper. Internal, external, and thrombosed hemorrhoids can all bleed. In some cases, a thrombosed hemorrhoid can burst if it becomes too full.
It can be scary to see blood in the toilet or when you wipe after a bowel movement. Fortunately, most of the causes of rectal bleeding are not life-threatening; common causes include hemorrhoids and anal fissures, which are discussed below.
Rectal bleeding often represents a benign anal condition, such as piles or an anal fissure. However, it is important to rule out colorectal/anal malignancy and inflammatory bowel disease as potential causes. Other possible causes of rectal bleeding include angiodysplasia, diverticular disease and colonic polyps.
Red diarrhea may indicate something serious, such as gastrointestinal bleeding, or something less severe such as drinking too much Kool-Aid. The redness can vary quite a bit. Call your doctor if: you have red diarrhea that does not improve.
“Foods that cause your stool to look bloody or tarry black include red beets, cranberries, blueberries, red food coloring, and processed foods that contain food coloring,” Johane M. Filemon, MS, RDN, CLT, a gut health and anti-inflammatory specialist, told Healthline.
No amount of blood in the stool is normal, but some causes may be more dangerous than others. Sometimes there is blood in such small amounts that it can't be seen with the eye. In these cases, it must be identified with a test called a fecal occult test.
Green stool can also be a sign of food poisoning. It may also mean that food is moving too quickly through your large intestine and is common in people with conditions like colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Red.
IBS is a bowel disorder that causes diarrhea, pain, and discomfort during times of stress. IBS is also known to cause yellow stool.
If hemorrhoid symptoms persist after 1 week or complications occur, a person may need medical treatment. A person should call a doctor if certain symptoms appear, particularly heavy bleeding, severe pain, or fever. These may be signs of other conditions.
Bleeding attributed to internal hemorrhoids is usually bright red and can be quite brisk. It may be found on the toilet paper, dripping into the toilet bowl, or streaked on the stool itself. Not all patients with symptomatic internal hemorrhoids will have significant bleeding.