The presence of blood in the stool can be indicative of different diseases, such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, diverticulitis, stomach ulcers and intestinal polyps, for example, and should be reported to the gastroenterologist if the presence of blood is frequent, so that it can be investigated. cause, the diagnosis is made and, thus, the treatment can be made. Know what can cause blood in your stool.
To check for the presence of blood in the stool, it is important to be aware of some signs that may indicate problems in the intestine, such as:
- Reddish color of toilet water after evacuation; Presence of blood on toilet paper; Reddish stains in stools; Very dark, pasty and smelly stools.
In addition, the color of the blood may also indicate which region of the intestine the bleeding comes from. Bright red blood in stools, for example, indicates problems in the intestine, rectum or anus, while if the color of the blood is dark, it indicates that the source of bleeding is higher, such as in the mouth, esophagus or stomach, for example. See more about What can be bright red blood in your stool.
What to do
When identifying the presence of blood in the stool, a gastroenterologist should be consulted to assess the cause of the bleeding. In general, stool tests, endoscopy and colonoscopy are prescribed to check for changes in the esophagus, stomach or intestine.
Watch the following video and learn how to correctly collect feces:
Treatment is done according to the cause of the problem, and it is also important to check for the presence of anemia due to blood loss through the intestine.
To find out if you have a more serious bowel disease, see what are the symptoms of bowel cancer.
How to prevent
To prevent the appearance of blood in the stool it is important to have a balanced diet, rich in fiber, greens, legumes, flaxseed and fruits that release the intestine, such as orange and grape with peel. In addition, it is recommended to drink a lot of water, reduce the consumption of alcoholic beverages and cigarettes and practice regular physical exercises. These attitudes are able to improve the functioning of the intestine and prevent intestinal diseases.
It is also recommended to perform from the age of 50, even if there are no symptoms or blood in the stool is not noticed, the performance of the occult blood test in the stool in order to diagnose bowel cancer early. See how fecal occult blood is done.
