Rectal bleeding is seen as blood on the toilet paper or around the feces. Bright red blood means that the bleeding comes from the lower intestine and anal canal. Dark red or maroon blood indicates that the bleeding is in the higher part of the colon.
A doctor’s consultation will help determine the cause and proper treatment for rectal bleeding. Diet and lifestyle advise, as well as liquid fiber and laxative prescriptions are given if rectal bleeding is caused by intestinal constipation and hard stool. Bleeding due to anal fissure or fistula may require both medical and surgical therapy. Meanwhile, treatment for solitary rectal ulcer depends on severity. Mild symptoms may be remedied through lifestyle changes while more acute cases would need surgery.
When there is a presumption of intestinal polyps, colonoscopy is compulsory to perform biopsy. Proper diagnosis should also be done for IBD cases, as these are serious conditions that need advanced therapy.