Noticing bright red blood after a bowel movement, regardless of whether you also have pain, is an uncomfortable moment. Seeing bright red blood on toilet paper is good cause to be evaluated and not assume it is hemorrhoids.
There’s a need to rule out more serious conditions, including anorectal and colon cancer. Consider a visit to Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists in Parker, Colorado, for an examination and diagnosis with Dr. Lisa A. Perryman, FACS, FASCRS.
We specialize in rectal bleeding, and Dr. Perryman can identify the source of your bleeding and recommend a treatment plan. Now, let’s take a look at what bright red blood might mean.
The inner walls of the anus, colon, and rectum are lined with blood vessels. Any abnormalities damage in the lining of these structures can produce blood that’s visible on toilet paper or in your stool.
A bright red color is typical of an injury that’s close to the end of your digestive tract. The most common reasons for this color and type of bleeding can be accompanied by other symptoms, such as hemorrhoids and polyps.
When bright red blood indicates a minor condition, it will most likely be one of these:
The most common cause of bright red blood, hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels inside or outside the anus. They may be accompanied by itching or pain, and they can produce blood when you strain to pass a bowel movement. While some hemorrhoids may be complex enough for surgical intervention, Dr. Perryman will most often recommend pain free solutions that take care of the issue.
The lining of the anus can suffer from splits and tears that can bleed often, sometimes with extreme pain. Dr. Perryman is an anal fissure specialist and can recommend the best treatment option.
While colon polyps can form anywhere in the lower intestine, those that produce bright red blood are more likely to be near the rectum and anus. Over time, certain polyps can become cancerous.
There’s no guarantee that bright red blood stems from a harmless or minor condition, so it’s important to investigate the causes of bleeding with Dr. Perryman to rule out serious conditions such as anal, rectal, and colon cancer.
Any unusual or unexpected incidence of rectal bleeding requires evaluation and diagnosis. Call or click to schedule an examination at Colorado Colon & Rectal Specialists now.
