If you see blood after going to the toilet, it can understandably cause a lot of worry. Rectal bleeding may look alarming, but it isn’t necessarily serious.
Here, we will look at some of the leading causes of rectal bleeding and how to treat them…
Common causes of rectal bleeding
There are many potential causes of rectal bleeding. Understanding the most common causes will help you to determine whether you need to worry or not. Of course, it goes without saying that any signs of rectal bleeding should be checked out by a doctor. Below are some of the most common causes of bleeding from the rectum;
Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids are one of the most common causes of rectal bleeding. The swollen veins may bleed under pressure, particularly when going to the toilet. You may notice blood in the toilet bowl, on your stools, or on toilet paper after relieving your bowels.
The bleeding will stop once the haemorrhoids have cleared up. While they may clear up by themselves, sometimes they may need to be removed. This can be done using a variety of techniques, but the Rafaelo procedure is considered one of the best. Mr Woodward was the first surgeon in Wales to offer this revolutionary procedure.
Constipation
Another somewhat harmless cause of bleeding from the rectum is constipation. If you have constipation you are going to strain when you go to the toilet. The pressure placed upon the blood vessels around the rectum can cause them to burst. This results in a little bleeding after going to the toilet.
Treating your constipation will stop the bleeding. It also reduces the risk of developing haemorrhoids. You can try a lot of home remedies to help ease constipation including increasing your water intake, eating more fibre, exercising, and drinking coffee.
IBD
Blood, after you go to the toilet, can also point towards IBD. The conditions associated with IBD can cause a range of digestive issues. Patients often experience cramping, pain in the abdomen, and constipation. These issues can lead to rectal bleeding, though you should only notice a small amount of blood.
Getting your IBD symptoms under control will help to reduce the risk of bleeding from the rectum. A good tip is to cut out gluten from your diet as this is known to cause more frequent and severe flare-ups.
Anal or colon cancer
The most serious cause of bleeding from the rectum is cancer. It can be a sign of anal or colon cancer, though you will also likely have other symptoms too. Signs of anal cancer include abnormal discharge coming from the anus, a lump on the anal opening, and itching around the rectum.
As you can see, there are a lot of things that can cause bleeding from the rectum. It is crucial to get the cause checked out by a doctor, particularly if the bleeding is persistent. Once you have the cause diagnosed, you can then work on treating the problem.
