Seeing blood in the toilet or when you wipe after a bowel movement can be alarming. If this happens to you, visit one of Newtown Gastroenterology’s locations in New York City. The offices at Elmhurst and Flushing in Queens, Sunset Park in Brooklyn, and Chinatown in Manhattan, use sophisticated diagnostics to determine rectal bleeding’s cause so you can get the treatment needed. Call your nearest Newtown Gastroenterology office today for an expert rectal bleeding diagnosis or schedule an exam using the online booking form.
If you have rectal bleeding, it means blood is exiting your anus. You might see it in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement or on the toilet paper when you wipe.
This blood could be coming from the anus or anal canal, your rectum, or the colon (large intestine). Blood can also travel down from the small intestine or upper gastrointestinal (GI) tract (esophagus, stomach, and duodenum). If the blood you see is bright red, it’s probably coming from the lower end of your GI tract. The further back the bleeding occurs, the darker the blood looks. If it comes from your stomach, blood will look black, resembling coffee grounds. This is called melena.
The most likely reason for your rectal bleeding is hemorrhoids. These are tender, swollen veins on the anus or in the anal canal. When you pass stools, the veins might bleed. Another common cause of rectal bleeding is fissures (tears) in the anus or rectum. In both cases, straining because you have constipation is the most likely trigger. Rectal bleeding that takes place further up your gastrointestinal tract could be caused by:
• Diverticulosis
• Proctitis
• Angiodysplasia
• Colorectal cancer
• Crohn’s disease
• Ulcerative colitis
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis are also known as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Sometimes there could be blood in your stool in such small amounts you can’t see it.
If you have hemorrhoids or fissures, your Newtown Gastroenterology provider can see them during your physical exam. If the source of your rectal bleeding is further up the GI tract, you might need a colonoscopy. After giving you a sedative, your provider inserts the colonoscope (a flexible tube with a lighted camera) into your rectum and watches the camera feed on a monitor as they push the instrument along your rectum and colon.
To investigate upper GI tract bleeding, you might need an endoscopy. This procedure is similar, but the endoscope goes down your throat and into your stomach. Newtown Gastroenterology also offers diagnostic tests to assess rectal bleeding. These include a fecal occult blood test that examines a stool sample for blood you can’t see. An accurate diagnosis ensures you get the correct treatment for your condition. Call Newtown Gastroenterology to discuss your rectal bleeding symptoms, or book an appointment online today.
