Blood in stools condition is normally referred to, in medical terms as melena. To distinguish between the causes of melena, associated complaints, if present, are taken into account which usually determines the area of involvement resulting in melena.
Causes of the blood in stools can be divided according to the area affected – like: esophagus (stomach area), intestinal and anal region.
Esophageal or Upper Gastro Intestinal causes of Melena
- Blood in stools can be commonly present in gastric or duodenal ulcers. With the stressful life people lead nowadays, this seams to be the most common cause.
- Oesophagitis or commonly known as, inflammation of food pipe, also results in bleeding in stools.
Common Cause of Blood in Stools
- Stress, eating of oily and spicy foods.
- History of taking any medications, specially over the counter medicines like aspirin and other pain killers or persons who are on steroids.
- History of regular intake of alcohol.
- Excessive smoking and use of betel leaves and tobacco.
Intestinal Causes of Blood in Stools
- Amoebic dysentery or commonly know as food poisoning, can also lead to blood in stools.
- Other condition called as ulcerative colitis, also leads to bleeding. It can be associated with mild to moderate abdominal pain with cramps and with mild fever.
- Intestinal worms can also cause blood in stools.
Common causes being eating food in unhygienic conditions, unwashed vegetables etc. before cooking, eating stale food.
Anal Lesions Causes
- Fissure in ano- a condition in which the anal mucosa gets cracked resulting in bleeding. Anal fissure is mostly caused by chronic constipation or hard stools.
- Hemorrhoids or piles which results in bleeding in stools.
Other Causes of Melena
- Previous history of jaundice
- Previous history of typhoid fever.
- Cancer of gastric mucosa.
- Abdominal Koch’s or Tuberculosis.
These conditions require thorough investigations. The above causes mentioned are most common and observed in day to day life.
Treatment and preventive measures change according to the causes of blood in stools. A basic line of home remedies to soothe the gastro-intestinal tract which will help in prevention of melena is recommended below.
For prevention of Blood in Stool
- Take plenty of green vegetables and fibrous food regularly with fruits and juices.
- Use whole meal flour, avoid refined ones.
- Avoid fried items, hot and spicy food.
- Drink a glass of water in the morning.
- Try to establish regular bowel habits and always answer nature’s call promptly.
- Avoid excessive intake of tea and coffee.
- Stop smoking and drinking alcohol.
- Avoid anxiety and worry.
Home remedies for Blood in Stool
To avoid constipation
- Mix in equal quantities, dry ginger powder and senna leaves powder. Take 5gms of this powder along with a cup of lukewarm water before going to bed. This helps in easy passage of stools.
For bleeding piles
- Poultice made of sesame seeds can be applied over bleeding piles as an external measure and 1/2 of tea spoon of sesame seeds with little butter can be taken orally.
- Butter milk mixed with little bit of black pepper powder and salt, should be taken daily for a few months.
- Crush about 11 rose petals with 50ml of water and take for 3 days on empty stomach.
- Related Topics
- Melena Symptoms: Causes And Treatment For Melena Or Black Stool
- Bleeding Piles Causes, Treatments | Diet, Foods for Piles Prevention
- Natural Remedies for Hemorrhoids or Piles | Treating Piles Naturally
- Natural Remedies for Hemorrhoids or Piles | Piles Natural Cure
- Burning Stools: Causes And Treatment For Loose Burning Stools
I am 16 and have been noticing blood in my stool for the last 4 months. I have not consulted a doctor as I am a bit worried it could be something very dangerous.
I am 26 years old and I have seen blood with my stool last 2-3 days blood is more than comparison pervious time, when last time I have seen that problem I have taken Norfloxacin with tinidazole I feel fine. What could this be? I am going to contact my doctor as soon as. Any advice would be much appreciated. Please advice soon, as I am quite scared.
I am 29 years old. Yesterday I notice myself using the bathroom a little more than normal. After using the bathroom I noticed it was more like diarrhea but then noticed blood. I am not hungry and feel fine, but this morning when thinking I had to use the bathroom I went and there was blood both in my stool and urine. It was bright red. I am thinking it’s because I ate a lot of meat these past couple of days. What could this be? I am going to contact my doctor as soon as I use the bathroom again to see if it’s just as bad as this morning.
I am 26 yrs old female, last 2 yrs ago I had this problem that blood on stool, so I went to physician, they examined my condition and the x-ray result was fine, but now here again it comes back, same month it happened, It’s been 2 weeks I am suffering, Please help me what should I do? I can’t go to my physician cause I am out of the country.
I am a 29 years old male, having blood in my stool. I have stomachache most of the time throughout the day. When I am in the toilet I found blood in my stool. There are several spots of blood in stool. It is continuing since last 6 days. Can anybody suggest what is causing the blood in my excreta?
I am 35 years old, have been stooling blood for the past 15years whenever I eat too much of meat or starch, sometimes the blood is up to half a liter. I am scared, I have been taking herbal treatment and it still there. Please tell me, what can I do to stop it?
I am a Women [45]. I have blood in stool for the last 1 Month. There is no pain after releasing stool, but lot of drops of blood pass out. After that lot of inflammation in food pipe. What treatment or remedies should I take to stop anal bleeding.
I am 30 years old and found blood in stools. Actually I had cough and I took tetracyclin 500mg. Next day I found that I have blood in my stools. Another day I took dyclofin as a pain killer and the next day I again had blood in my stool. I don’t have any pain during excretion. What disease am I suffering from? And how do I treat this symptom of blood in stools?
I am 39 yrs old lady. I noticed blood stains in my stool for the past 3 days. Also found one bud of lesser than a pepper in the outer periphery of anus. What could be the cause ?
I am afraid. Please advise.
Bleeding during stool is invariably a symptom of hemorrhoids (piles). Are there any other associated symptoms, like, itching in the rectum / anus, pain before or during or after stool, swelling or engorgement of the anus?
It would be necessary for you to get yourself thoroughly examined by a physician.
Also, he would eliminate any vaginal or urinary causes.
Management
Follow these basic guidelines to prevent an aggravation of the existing complaint:
1. Never strain at stool. Avoid constipation at all cost. Straining increases the intra-abdominal pressure and worsens the condition.
2. Avoid standing for prolonged periods of time.
3. Lifting heavy weights should be avoided.
4. Incorporate loads of fiber in to your diet. Dietary fiber adds bulk to the feces and promotes good bowel movement, thus averting constipation.
5. Drink a minimum of 3 liters of water a day.
Beware!
Refrain from taking laxatives. They do more harm than good. Laxatives create a see-saw pattern between constipation and diarrhea, which could have serious repercussions in the long run.
Dry figs are the best natural laxatives that you can find. They improve peristalsis and prevent constipation.
I had blood in my stool this morning for the first time, just a little on the toilet paper, the next time I went to the bathroom I had an excess of blood. I am 21 years old, and a college student so I eat a lot and drink pretty regularly, any advice would be greatly appreciated, thanks
I saw blood stain in my tissue whenever I finish going to toilet and cleaning my anus why? Does blood in stool indicate anything seriously wrong with my digestive or excretion system? What treatment should I administer to cure my bleeding anus? Is this hemorrhoids?
Avoid having any kind of spicy food. Eating boiled food like mashed potato, rice, boiled papaya helps in curing dysentry. Fast foods are a big NO during dysentery.Control over your food habits can cure dysentery in 2-3 days. If dysentery is not cured within a week even after proper control of your food habit,you need to seek expert medical advice.