Should I Worry That I Have Blood In My Stool?

Most people are anxious when they saw the toilet water turned red, streaks of blood mixed in their stool, or bright red blood comes out from their anus. Of course that’s a normal reaction since blood in the stool can indicate internal hemorrhaging or cancer (e.g. colon cancer). According to Dr. Oz, don’t panic because a small amount of bright red blood in stool is nothing to be worried of. He added that a single drop of blood can turn the whole bowl red.

To know the reasons why there is blood in your stool, visit your health care provider for a medical diagnosis.

There are different causes of  blood in the stool which include anal fissure, hemorrhoids, diverticulosis, colon polyps and cancer, angiodysplasia, colitis, proctitis, and Meckel’s diverticulum. (To know more about these conditions, read the article on the causes of bright red blood in stool)

Take note also that consumption of certain foods could turn the color of the stool to red, which makes it appear bloody. They are red meat, cantaloupe, grapefruit, figs, broccoli, radishes, turnips, cauliflower, tomato soup or juice, kool-aid, red popsicles, excess beets, red gelatin and among others.

The only time you should worry is when a you release a large amount of fresh blood through your anus with or without stool. Losing a lot of blood is dangerous because it can decrease the blood pressure that could lead to shock. The lost blood should be replaced immediately by blood transfusion. If you are releasing a lot of blood now, seek medical help immediately.

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