rectal bleeding
Rectal Bleeding is an extremely common symptom of bowel disease. Poorly understood, it could cause considerable alarm and anxiety.
Assessment and investigation is not only necessary to identify the cause, but is the surest way to properly allay anxiety.
The causes of rectal bleeding are several and range from minor trauma with toilet tissue, to more sinister causes. Fortunately, most causes have a benign (non-cancer) cause and are readily amenable to treatment.
Bleeding may be bright red or dark and may occur in isolation or in association with other bowel symptoms.
Blood may be on the tissue paper, or drip into the toilet.
Causes of Rectal Bleeding
Haemorrhoids or Pile
Anal Fissure
Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s Disease
Diverticular Disease
Colonic Polyps
Bowel Cancer
Angiodysplasia
What to do if you bleed from the back passage?
1. Do not panic.
2. Do something about it. Seek medical help from your GP or a Specialist Colorectal Surgeon such as you may find at the Rectal Bleeding Clinic.
3. Be not unduly anxious. The investigations that may be necessary are performed in a reasonably comfortable manner.
4. Do keep your appointments, and do not baulk at the thought of the part of your anatomy that has to be investigated.