- Main causes of bloody diarrhea
- 1. Rotavirus infection
- 2. Escherichia coli infection
- 3. Infection with Shigella spp.
- 4. Inflammatory bowel disease
- 5. Intestinal worms
- 6. Side effect of medicines
- 7. Bowel cancer
- Other causes
- When to go to the doctor
Bloody diarrhea is often the result of intestinal infections, in which case it is called dysentery, and can be caused by viruses, parasites and bacteria, and if left untreated, it can lead to health consequences, such as malnutrition and dehydration, for example. In most cases, bloody diarrhea is self-limiting, that is, the body itself is capable of solving it, but it is important for this that the person remains hydrated, has a balanced diet and goes to the doctor so that the need to take medication can be verified.
In addition to being caused by infections, bloody diarrhea can be one of the symptoms of ulcerative colitis, bowel cancer or a consequence of using some medications. Therefore, it is important that whenever an increase in the number of bowel movements, softened stools and the presence of blood is observed, the person should consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist so that the cause can be investigated and the most appropriate treatment can be started.
Main causes of bloody diarrhea
Bloody diarrhea can have several causes, the main ones being:
1. Rotavirus infection
Rotavirus infection is a major cause of gastroenteritis and, consequently, bloody diarrhea in babies and children under 5 years old. This type of infection occurs mainly through the consumption of contaminated water and food and is characterized by liquid or soft bowel movements more than 4 times a day, which may contain too much or too little blood, mixed with a secretion similar to pus or phlegm, which is the mucus. The child may say that he has a stomachache and still has fever and vomiting. Know how to recognize the symptoms of Rotavirus infection
What to do: You should take the child to the doctor as soon as possible, and if possible, take a dirty diaper or take pictures of the stool so that the doctor can assess the color and the amount of blood that may be there. Rotavirus infection can cause severe, very bad-smelling diarrhea and last up to 14 days. During this period the baby or child should be fed with soups, puree and lean meats, but it is very important to offer water, homemade whey or coconut water always after an episode of diarrhea to avoid dehydration.
2. Escherichia coli infection
Escherichia coli , or E. coli, is a bacterium naturally found in the gastrointestinal system and also one of the main responsible for gastroenteritis, especially in adults, causing in addition to dysentery, intensive abdominal pain.
The type of E. coli normally found in the body is not harmful to the person, however some other types, especially those that contaminate food can cause damage to health. Check the symptoms and how is the diagnosis of infection by E. coli
What to do: To alleviate symptoms and prevent new gastroenteritis attacks, it is recommended to have a balanced diet rich in probiotic foods or supplements, which are those that have the function of promoting healthy intestinal microbiota and, thus, preventing imbalance and occurrence of diseases. In addition, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to fight bacteria harmful to the intestine.
3. Infection with Shigella spp.
Another common cause of blood and mucus diarrhea in adults is infection by the bacterium of the genus Shigella spp. due to consumption of contaminated food or water. Symptoms of Shigella spp . Infection, also called shigellosis, last 5 to 7 days and, in addition to dysentery, infected children may also have seizures that stop when treatment is started.
What to do: In these cases, you should not take drugs to stop diarrhea because they can worsen the symptoms, as they prevent the bacteria from being eliminated naturally in the feces. Drinking lots of fluids and consuming easily digestible foods is one of the forms of home treatment that is always indicated, in addition to the use of antibiotics being recommended by the doctor, which should be indicated according to the sensitivity and resistance profile of the microorganism.
4. Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease, are characterized by chronic diarrhea that may have blood or mucus and severe abdominal pain, especially after eating. The cause of these diseases is not yet known, and it can appear at any age and symptoms appear in periods of crisis and remission throughout life. The tests that can confirm inflammatory bowel diseases are opaque enema, colonoscopy and computed tomography.
What to do: Treatment for ulcerative colitis should be done with drugs to stop diarrhea and dietary supplements. In the most severe cases, where the inflammation of the intestine is extensive and when it does not improve with treatment, it may sometimes be necessary to perform surgery to remove part of the intestine.
In addition, it is important to have guidance from a nutritionist so that the best foods are indicated to prevent new crises and also to prevent nutritional deficiencies.
Learn more about inflammatory bowel diseases.
5. Intestinal worms
Infection with intestinal parasites can also cause bloody diarrhea in children or adults, especially when the parasitic burden is high. Bloody diarrhea due to parasitic infection is more common in areas with poor hygiene and basic sanitation, which causes people to walk barefoot and eat with dirty hands and consume contaminated food, leading to the appearance of symptoms other than diarrhea, such as a swollen and sore belly and a lack of appetite, for example.
What to do: In case of suspected worms, the doctor may order stool tests to investigate the presence of parasites and recommend the use of some drugs that promote their elimination and help fight symptoms.
It is also important that the person improves hygiene habits and has an adequate diet rich in probiotics so that the intestinal microbiota can be restored and new infections can be avoided.
6. Side effect of medicines
Some drugs, including antibiotics, can have diarrhea as a side effect, however this is more frequent when the person has acute diarrhea and takes antibiotics without medical recommendation, which favors the occurrence of bacterial resistance and proliferation of harmful bacteria to the body.
What to do: In case the bloody diarrhea happens due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, for example, it is recommended that the medication be stopped. If the doctor has prescribed the medication, you should go back to the consultation to find out which antibiotic to take. Check out 5 ways to fight antibiotic diarrhea
7. Bowel cancer
Bloody diarrhea that is not being caused by any of the aforementioned changes may indicate the presence of a tumor in or near the intestine in the abdominal cavity. To make sure that it is a cancer that is causing blood in the stool, several tests, such as colonoscopy, may be ordered.
What to do: Medical help should be sought as soon as possible to find out where the tumor is and which treatment is most suitable, and surgery, radiation or chemotherapy may be recommended.
Other causes
Other serious causes of bloody diarrhea include intestinal obstruction, poisoning or severe abdominal trauma, requiring urgent medical attention, as it is very intense and can be life-threatening.
Radiotherapy can also cause bloody diarrhea, being a side effect when performed on the abdominal region. In this case, the doctor should be warned that he is presenting this symptom to indicate a way to relieve, with the use of supplements being normally indicated, to replace the normal bacterial flora, and remedies to stop diarrhea.
When to go to the doctor
Bloody diarrhea is not always a serious disorder, especially when it is an isolated episode, or when it happens in a person who has hemorrhoids, but has experienced constipation. However, it is recommended to seek medical help if you present:
- More than 3 episodes in one day or in the same week; In case of fever above 38.5ºC or chills; Vomiting with blood or very dark; Severe pain in the stomach; Fainting; If you have difficulty breathing; If you have a stiff abdomen, not being possible to press, if you have weakened immune system, because you have AIDS or cancer.
Bloody diarrhea can cause complications such as dehydration, iron deficiency anemia, changes in the kidneys or sepsis, which is a serious condition and can lead to death, and therefore its diagnosis and treatment must be started quickly. Learn more about sepsis.
