Blood in stool
Encyclopedia
In medicine
, when referring to human feces
, blood in stool can refer to multiple conditions:
The term is usually not used to describe fecal occult blood
, which refers to blood only found after testing is performed.
In infants, the Apt test
can be used to distinguish fetal hemoglobin
from maternal blood.
Medicine
Medicine is the science and art of healing. It encompasses a variety of health care practices evolved to maintain and restore health by the prevention and treatment of illness....
, when referring to human feces
Human feces
Human feces , also known as a stool, is the waste product of the human digestive system including bacteria. It varies significantly in appearance, according to the state of the digestive system, diet and general health....
, blood in stool can refer to multiple conditions:
- MelenaMelenaIn medicine, melena or melaena refers to the black, "tarry" feces that are associated with gastrointestinal hemorrhage. The black color is caused by oxidation of the iron in hemoglobin during its passage through the ileum and colon.-Melena vs...
, with more blackish appearance, originating in upper parts of the gastrointestinal tract - HematocheziaHematocheziaHematochezia is the passage of fresh blood per anus, usually in or with stools . Hematochezia is commonly associated with lower gastrointestinal bleeding, but may also occur from a brisk upper GI bleed...
, with more red color, originating in latter parts of the gastrointestinal tract
The term is usually not used to describe fecal occult blood
Fecal occult blood
Fecal occult blood refers to blood in the feces that is not visibly apparent. A fecal occult blood test checks for hidden blood in the stool...
, which refers to blood only found after testing is performed.
In infants, the Apt test
Apt test
The Apt test is a medical test used to differentiate fetal or neonatal blood from maternal blood.-History:The test was developed by Leonard Apt, an American pediatric ophthalmologist. The test was originally used to identify the source of bloody stools in newborn infants...
can be used to distinguish fetal hemoglobin
Fetal hemoglobin
Fetal hemoglobin, or foetal haemoglobin, is the main oxygen transport protein in the fetus during the last seven months of development in the uterus and in the newborn until roughly 6 months old...
from maternal blood.
List of causes of blood in the stool
Common causes of blood in the stool include:- Colorectal cancerColorectal cancerColorectal cancer, commonly known as bowel cancer, is a cancer caused by uncontrolled cell growth , in the colon, rectum, or vermiform appendix. Colorectal cancer is clinically distinct from anal cancer, which affects the anus....
- Crohns disease
- Ulcerative colitisUlcerative colitisUlcerative colitis is a form of inflammatory bowel disease . Ulcerative colitis is a form of colitis, a disease of the colon , that includes characteristic ulcers, or open sores. The main symptom of active disease is usually constant diarrhea mixed with blood, of gradual onset...
- Other types of inflammatory bowel disease, inflammatory bowel syndrome, or ulceration
- Rectal or anal hemorrhoids or fissuresAnal fissureAn anal fissure is a break or tear in the skin of the anal canal. Anal fissures may be noticed by bright red anal bleeding on the toilet paper, sometimes in the toilet. If acute they may cause severe periodic pain after defecation but with chronic fissures pain intensity is often less...
, particularly if they rupture or are otherwise irritated - E. coliEscherichia coliEscherichia coli is a Gram-negative, rod-shaped bacterium that is commonly found in the lower intestine of warm-blooded organisms . Most E. coli strains are harmless, but some serotypes can cause serious food poisoning in humans, and are occasionally responsible for product recalls...
food poisoning - Necrotizing enterocolitisNecrotizing enterocolitisNecrotizing enterocolitis is a medical condition primarily seen in premature infants, where portions of the bowel undergo necrosis .-Signs and symptoms:...
- DiverticulosisDiverticulosisDiverticulosis also known as "diverticular disease" is the condition of having diverticula in the colon, which are outpocketings of the colonic mucosa and submucosa through weaknesses of muscle layers in the colon wall. These are more common in the sigmoid colon, which is a common place for...
- SalmonellosisSalmonellosisSalmonellosis is an infection with Salmonella bacteria. Most people infected with Salmonella develop diarrhea, fever, vomiting, and abdominal cramps 12 to 72 hours after infection. In most cases, the illness lasts four to seven days, and most people recover without treatment...
- Upper gastrointestinal bleedingUpper gastrointestinal bleedingUpper gastrointestinal bleeding refers to hemorrhage in the upper gastrointestinal tract. The anatomic cut-off for upper GI bleeding is the ligament of Treitz, which connects the fourth portion of the duodenum to the diaphragm near the splenic flexure of the colon.Upper GI bleeds are considered...
- Peptic ulcer disease
- Esophageal varicesEsophageal varicesIn medicine , esophageal varices are extremely dilated sub-mucosal veins in the lower esophagus...
- Gastric cancer