If you notice blood when you go to the toilet, you may become worried or even panic. Blood in the stool is therefore a disturbing phenomenon. The causes of blood in the stool can be quite harmless, such as hemorrhoids, but can also indicate serious conditions such as chronic intestinal diseases. Consider, for example, ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. It is important to look at the color of the blood and any additional symptoms. What does a bright red color of the stool indicate, and what should be considered if the stool has a rather dark red color?

Blood in the stool

People are used to seeing blood loss as a warning sign . If you notice bleeding after going to the toilet, it is important to thoroughly investigate the cause. Blood in the stool can have several causes, some of which are more serious than others. Even though it is a very annoying thing and you are ashamed to talk about it with a doctor, it is still very important not to let this problem persist. Especially if the bloody stool is not a one-off but persists for several days or weeks, it is crucial not to lose time. Going to the doctor for further advice is the only message.

Dark red blood in stool

Dark red blood often means that there is a more serious cause of the bleeding. These bleedings may be accompanied by other symptoms such as fever, weight loss and diarrhea . This often involves chronic bleeding that requires very close medical monitoring. Sometimes they disappear for a while, but after a period of time they may occur again. Possible causes in this case:

Intestinal polyps

Intestinal polyps are swellings in the lining of the intestine. Usually this phenomenon is benign and can be resolved quickly. However, vigilance is required because in the long term, intestinal polyps can lead to colon cancer .

Chronic intestinal inflammation

Ulcerative colitis is a chronic inflammation of the colon that can cause very irritating symptoms, depending on the intensity of the disease. The blood is usually dark red in color and can occur in relatively large quantities. Sometimes the bleeding also contains mucus , which can be very disturbing. In severe cases, there may also be intestinal cramps, fever, severe abdominal pain, anemia and iron deficiency. Anti-inflammatory medications are recommended in this case.

Crohn’s disease

The symptoms of Crohn’s disease are very similar to those of ulcerative colitis, with the important difference that Crohn’s disease can also affect other parts of the digestive tract. While ulcerative colitis only affects the large intestine, Crohn’s can also affect the small intestine and stomach. Crohn’s and colitis are both chronic diseases also called IBDs or Inflammatory Bowel Disease . Anti-inflammatory medication and close monitoring of the course of the disease are necessary.

Colon cancer

Colon cancer is one of the worst conditions that can cause bleeding during bowel movements. As with all cancers, the chance of cure often depends on the stage of the cancer at which it is diagnosed. The sooner the cancer develops, the better.

Blood: dark to black

Do you have bowel movements that are very dark and even tend towards black? This then means that the bleeding has occurred higher in the digestive tract, such as the small intestine or stomach. Due to the transport of the stool to the end of the digestive tract, the sphincter, the blood has changed color and become darker. This usually concerns a stomach problem , such as a stomach ulcer or stomach cancer.

Bright red blood in the stool

You can often deduce something from the color of the blood . If you notice a limited amount of bright red blood on the toilet paper, there is a good chance that one of the following causes the bleeding:

Broken vein

A fairly harmless way of bleeding when visiting the toilet is a burst vein. This occurs when blood vessels come under pressure during straining. This problem resolves quite quickly and is usually just a one-off phenomenon. The doctor will recommend using less pressure when pushing and waiting.

Cleft or anal fissure

Bright red blood may also be related to an anal fissure or sphincter fissure. Cracks can lead to minor blood loss and can usually be remedied with a soothing ointment. If the cracks are very persistent, surgery may be recommended to resolve the problem.

Anal fistula

An anal fistula is a pipe-shaped ulcer between the sphincter muscle and the skin around the anus. If you suffer from an anal fistula, you may lose blood through your stool. In addition, the stool may also contain mucus and pus. An anal fistula almost always requires surgical intervention.

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids (also called “pacifier” ) are a type of varicose veins in the anus that are torn open every time stool leaves the body. This can be painless, but in severe cases the pushing can become very painful. In most cases, hemorrhoids are combated with an ointment, gel or spray, but suppositories are also possible treatments. In severe cases, interventions are also possible, such as “drying” or removing the hemorrhoids.Some examples of hemorrhoid ointments and creams that can reduce the symptoms:

• Sperti
• Curanol
• Theranal
• Epianal (suppository)

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