The presence of blood after a bowel movement is not uncommon. There are not few cases when someone notices blood on the toilet paper, in the feces or in the toilet. Blood from the anus can be due to several causes, which need to be further investigated to rule out more serious diseases. Additional symptoms associated with rectal bleeding include itching, rectal pain and abdominal pain.
Blood from the anus & hemorrhoids
There are many different reasons why someone may experience rectal bleeding. The causes of bleeding can vary from common and mild conditions to more serious and rare conditions that require immediate medical treatment. The most common cause that can cause bleeding from the anus is hemorrhoids, especially internal hemorrhoids, that is, those located inside the anal canal.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the region of the rectum and anus. They can develop due to various factors, such as chronic constipation and diarrhea, straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, lifting heavy objects, increased body weight or obesity. Hemorrhoids are not life-threatening and blood that can be seen is nothing to worry about. With conservative treatment, the condition can subside significantly, however, if it persists and causes difficulties in the patient’s daily life, it can be treated with more invasive methods. The most modern, painless and bloodless treatment method is hemorrhoids laser treatment.
Bleeding from the anus & anal fissure
Another condition that manifests itself with blood from the anus is anal fissure. This particular condition is a tear in the skin around the anal area. This usually happens in the case of very hard stools. The extra pressure of a bowel movement causes this opening in the skin. An anal fissure is manifested by bleeding and a burning sensation during or after bowel movements. Anal fissures may heal on their own over time, but most require surgical treatment. Laser anal fissure treatment is the method of choice for the definitive and painless treatment of the condition.
Anal Bleeding & perianal fistula
A condition closely related to bleeding from the anus is perianal fistula. This condition occurs when the anal glands become blocked and consequently infected, causing an abscess. An abscess is an infected cavity containing pus, which can then be drained. A perianal fistula is a tiny communication passage that connects the drained abscess to the skin around the anus. The treatment of this specific condition is mostly surgical, with modern techniques such as laser treatment of the perineal fistula or VAAFT endoscopic technique.
Blood from the anus can also be due to more serious conditions, such as inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease), but also to dangerous conditions for the patient’s health, such as rectal cancer. If the bleeding is intense, frequent or causes concern for the patient, a visit to a specialized doctor such as the General Surgeons in Athens, and the performance of diagnostic tests is considered imperative.
