Bloody bowel movements (BAB) is a condition when there is blood in the stool. This condition is a symptom of bleeding in the digestive tract. Bloody stools can lead to serious medical conditions and can be fatal. Therefore, it is important to immediately see a doctor if you see blood in the stool.
Causes and Symptoms of Bloody CHAPTER
Bloody stools can be divided into: hematochezia and melena, with a wide variety of causes and symptoms. Below will be explained each condition along with the symptoms and causes.
Hematochezia
Hematochezia It is caused by bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract, especially in the large intestine. Some conditions that can cause lower gastrointestinal bleeding are:
- Diverticulitis. Diverticulitis is inflammation or infection of the diverticula (abnormally small pouches that form in the digestive tract).
- Inflammation of the intestines. Inflammation of the intestines is a condition in which the intestines become inflamed. Inflammation of the intestines can also refer to two disorders of the digestive tract, namely Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
- Polyps. Polyps are growths of abnormal tissue that are stalked and small, less than 1.5 cm.
- Benign tumors. Benign tumors that grow in the colon and rectum can cause bleeding.
- Colon cancer. Colon cancer is cancer that grows in the colon (large intestine).
- Anal fissure. An anal fissure is an open sore in the anal canal or rectum.
- Hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are dilated blood vessels in the anal area that are at risk of causing bleeding.
In patients hematochezia, blood that comes out with feces will look red. This is because the bleeding occurs in an area not far from the rectum, so the blood comes out in a fresh state. Hematochezia sometimes accompanied by diarrhea, fever, changes in the frequency of bowel movements, abdominal pain, and weight loss. Besides being able to come out with feces, blood can also drip from the anus.
Immediately contact a doctor if hematochezia accompanied by symptoms of shock, such as:
- Nauseous
- Small amount of urine
- Dizzy
- Faint
- Blurred vision
- Pale and cold skin
- Hard to breathe.
Melena
Melena is caused by bleeding in the upper digestive tract. Conditions that can cause upper gastrointestinal bleeding include:
- Esophageal varices rupture. Esophageal varices are widening of the veins in the oesophagus (esophagus).
- Gastritis. Gastritis is inflammation of the protective lining in the stomach.
- Stomach ulcer. Gastric ulcers are sores that form on the inner surface of the wall
- Stomach cancer. Stomach cancer is a condition characterized by the growth of cancer cells in the stomach wall.
- Mallory-Weiss syndrome. This condition is characterized by a tear in the tissue in the area of the esophagus that borders the stomach.
Symptoms of melena are stools that are dark in color like asphalt, and have a soft and sticky texture. Dark stools are caused by the mixing of blood with stomach acid, enzymes, or bacteria in the large intestine, before being excreted with feces. Melena may be accompanied by vomiting of blood, feeling tired, dizzy and fainting.
Diagnosis of bloody stools
Doctors can diagnose bloody stools by looking directly at the patient's stool or through a digital rectal examination. The doctor will also ensure that the patient's condition is stable by checking vital signs, namely respiratory rate, pulse, body temperature, and blood pressure. To determine the cause of bloody stools, the doctor will carry out further examinations in the form of:
- endoscope. Endoscopy is the act of inserting an elastic tube equipped with a camera (endoscope) into the patient's body. Depending on the part of the body to be examined, the doctor may insert the endoscope through the mouth (gastroscopy), or through the rectum (colonoscopy). The doctor may also take a small sample of tissue (biopsy) for examination in the laboratory, when performing an endoscopy. In addition to using a tube-shaped device, endoscopy can be performed by swallowing a capsule containing a small camera. The camera will take pictures of the digestive tract, then send the images to a recording device that is outside the body.
- X-ray with barium contrast. The doctor will ask the patient to drink a contrast liquid or barium-based dye. Barium will help doctors to see the digestive tract more clearly in X-rays.
- Angiography. Angiography is an X-ray examination that is preceded by an injection of contrast fluid into a vein. The contrast fluid will help the doctor see more clearly the blood vessels suspected of having bleeding.
- Radionuclear examination. Radionuclear examination is done by injecting a radioactive liquid into a vein, then the doctor will monitor the patient's blood flow through a special camera.
- Laparotomy. Laparotomy is an abdominal wall surgical procedure, in order to see the source of bleeding, directly from inside the abdomen.
Treatment of Bloody CHAPTER
Treatment of bloody stools depends on the amount of blood that comes out and the underlying cause. Treatment is aimed at treating blood deficiency or anemia, stopping bleeding, and preventing bleeding from occurring again.
In moderate to severe bleeding, hematochezia can cause low blood pressure, dizziness, and shock. Patients with these symptoms should be given fluid replacement via IV and blood transfusions.
Then to stop the bleeding, the doctor will run an endoscope. In addition to being used to determine the cause and location of bleeding, endoscopy can also be used to treat bleeding through the following methods:
- Electrocauterization. This procedure uses an electric current to burn tissue or blood vessels causing bleeding.
- Band ligation. This procedure is done by binding hemorrhoids or esophageal varices that are swollen. This action will block the flow of blood causing bleeding.
- Endoscopic intravariceal cyanoacrylate injection. In this procedure, the doctor will inject a special substance, namely: cyanoacrylate, in the bleeding area. Cyanoacrylate is a synthetic adhesive that can stop bleeding.
In addition to the endoscope, the surgeon can perform surgery to stop the bleeding directly. There is also an embolization technique, which is inserting a special material into a blood vessel through a catheter to stop bleeding.
After bloody stools are resolved, the doctor will treat the underlying cause so that bloody stools do not occur again. Some of the ways this can be done are:
- Diet pattern. The doctor will recommend the consumption of fibrous foods, such as fruits and vegetables. If needed, the doctor will provide fibrous supplements to soften the stool.
- administration of drugs, as:
- Antibiotics
- Drugs that reduce stomach acid production
- Chemotherapy drugs
- Immunosuppressive drugs
- TNF-blocking drugs (tumor necrosis factor)
- Beta blockers.
- Medical treatment. Examples are colostomy to treat colon cancer, and radiotherapy to treat stomach cancer.
Stages of treatment of bloody stools involve medical procedures to the administration of drugs that require no small amount of money. Therefore, it never hurts to have health insurance from now on so that cost constraints can be overcome.
Prevention of bloody defecation
The following are efforts you can take to prevent bloody stools from occurring:
- Consumption of healthy and balanced food
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain ideal body weight
- Quit smoking
- Regularly check blood pressure and cholesterol
- Keep the anal area dry
- Clean the rectum with warm water and mild soap
- Drink lots of water
- Avoid pushing too hard during defecation
- Don't delay defecation when you feel it
- Don't sit too long on a hard surface.
If your bloody stools are severe enough, your doctor may recommend that you stay in the hospital for 1-2 days. In addition, treatment from a doctor may require you to pay a lot of money.
As a preventive measure, let's protect yourself by having health insurance that is equipped with a free chat service with a specialist. By having this product, you can consult anytime and anywhere with a doctor.