Blood on the anus – causes, treatment and prevention

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Blood on the anus can be caused by anal bleeding and can also be noticed by blood in the stool , among other things . However, anal bleeding can have a variety of causes, both benign and worrisome. Therefore, if you notice blood on the anus, you should see a doctor as soon as possible.

Blood on the anus: description

Blood on the anus usually indicates anal bleeding or bleeding from the gastrointestinal area. These are often noticeable not only through blood on the anus, but also through blood in the stool. The causes that can underlie the blood on the anus can be of a wide variety of nature and therefore both completely harmless and very serious.

It is therefore advisable to consult a doctor immediately in the event of anal bleeding or blood on the anus. Because he will not only clarify and treat the cause, but also stop the bleeding as quickly as possible. If anal bleeding is not treated for too long, it can have serious consequences.

Causes

Most people immediately think of colon cancer when they see blood on the anus. Unfortunately, colorectal cancer is actually a possible cause of the disease if there is anal bleeding, which is often also reflected in blood in the stool. However, colorectal cancer is just one of many causes that can cause blood in the anus and blood in the stool.Other possible causes include hemorrhoids, fissures (tears) in the mucous membrane, protuberances in the intestinal wall (intestinal diverticula) or, for example, neoplasms in the intestinal wall (intestinal polyps). However, blood in the anus or blood in the stool can also be caused by inflammation in the stomach or intestines, by infections or by parasites.

While numerous causes such as fissures in the mucous membrane, which can be caused by constipation or hard stool , are of a rather harmless nature, many triggers of blood in the anus must be treated by a doctor. It is therefore always advisable to consult a doctor if there is blood on the anus – even if the bleeding occurs only occasionally or is very light.

Diseases

When to the doctor?

In the case of blood on the anus, a doctor should be consulted immediately if the blood loss lasts for several days. If the symptoms spread, a doctor’s visit is also necessary. If small amounts of blood appear on the anus after frequent trips to the toilet, the skin is over-irritated. This is a common side effect of diarrhea . In most cases it is sufficient if the toilet paper is changed. The symptoms disappear once the diarrhea has been cured.

Some people get blood from the anus after having sex or engaging in certain sexual practices that involve the anus. In this case, no doctor’s visit is necessary. There is often damage to the surrounding blood vessels, which heal in the coming days without further measures. In the future, the methods used should be avoided.

Since haemorrhoids or a tumor in the rectum lead to blood in the anus, a doctor should be consulted as soon as the symptoms persist for several days. If there is an itching in the anus in addition to the blood, it is often a worm infestation. Since the pests continue to spread unhindered in the anus and are contagious, a doctor should be consulted. If the blood runs from the anus without interruption, a doctor must be consulted immediately to clarify the cause.

Diagnosis and course

Since blood on the anus can be triggered by various diseases and causes, the doctor treating you will first try to stop the bleeding and find out the reasons for it. He will try to rule out all possible questionable and serious reasons (e.g. colon cancer).

In order to do this, he will use various diagnostic options: for example, stool tests, gastric and of course colonoscopies . Other diagnostic methods can also be blood tests, ultrasound and X- ray examinations . Furthermore, he will carry out a survey of the patient, in which he will clarify any complaints, illnesses or other causes.

Complications

Most of the time, blood on the anus is harmless. On the one hand, serious causes and, on the other hand, complications can occur that are not initially suspected. Consequential diseases in the intestines are often reported, which in the worst case refer to rectal cancer. This disease is associated relatively early with further and increasing excretions and severe to very severe pain in the abdomen . In addition, there is increasing nausea and the spread of pathogens.

In the further course, inflammation, anal tears and hemorrhoids can occur and lead to blood in the anus. If the small intestine is diagnosed as a source of bleeding from the anus, further complications and intestinal bleeding are suspected.

Anal fistulas as well as anal abscesses and growths are among the common complications that can drastically reduce general well-being. If diverticula cause blood in the anus, comparable complications such as injuries to the anus or intestines can occur, but in such a case it is a natural cause.

Dreatment and therapy

The treatment of blood from the anus always depends on the underlying cause of the bleeding. For numerous harmless reasons, such as hairstyles or haemorrhoids, treatment, for example with medication and/or a bland diet, aims to ensure that the cracks and nodules heal or recede – so that the bleeding is stopped.

Other diseases or even parasites should be treated. However, the goal here is always to stop the bleeding and to treat it in the eye. Numerous causes, such as hemorrhoids, also make regular follow-up examinations and follow-up treatments necessary in order to largely avoid renewed anal bleeding.More serious diseases such as colon cancer also require longer and more serious treatments. In the case of colon cancer in particular, radiation, long-term drug therapies and even surgical interventions can become necessary.

In order to be able to initiate the right treatment for blood on the anus, the first step should be to see the family doctor. He will initiate all possible therapies and, if necessary – refer the patient to a specialist – for example in the case of serious causes.

Outlook and prognosis

If the cause of blood in the anus is hemorrhoids, the prognosis is extremely positive if treated immediately. By applying anti-bleeding ointments, the blood vessels constrict and the bleeding stops. Without treatment, anemia occurs after just a few days , which can be life-threatening if left untreated.

Blood on the anus can also mean that anal thrombosis is the cause. Typical here is the emergence of dark blood. The differentiation from hemorrhoids can only be carried out by a specialist. Perianal thrombosis can be treated by opening the affected vessels. The danger here is that treated blood vessels show a renewed disturbance of the blood flow and new complications arise from tissue damage and blood clots.

Anal fissures occur when the skin around the anus is very sensitive and tearing it causes an ulcer to form. Those affected can counteract this by making the stool softer. This is done by drinking enough fluids and fiber. Very helpful here are ointments that reduce the blood on the anus and pain at the same time.

Prevention

Blood on the anus and anal bleeding can be prevented under certain circumstances and depending on the cause. If, for example, the intestinal wall had hair styles – for example due to hard stool or constipation – you can make sure in future that you eat in such a way that both are kept in check in the future. Causes such as hemorrhoids, on the other hand, should be treated by a doctor and regular follow-up examinations should be carried out so that these and blood on the anus are avoided.

As a rule, however, blood on the anus can only be prevented by avoiding the reasons that triggered the bleeding or that could trigger it. If anal bleeding occurs frequently, it is best to have a detailed consultation with your family doctor. This is also recommended for actually harmless reasons.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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