Blood in the stool when wiping: What's behind it?
Do you see blood on the toilet paper after wiping your bottom? This is not always an immediate cause for concern. As long as our bowel is, the anal canal only measures around 4 cm and is very sensitive. As blood in the stool can have various causes and some of them can actually be dangerous, you should always see a doctor. Basically, red blood (hematochezia) in the stool usually indicates bleeding in the middle or lower gastrointestinal tract, black blood (tarry stool) indicates bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract. So there may also be serious problems behind it. Get to the bottom of it!
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Causes of blood in the stool
Haemorrhoids
If you discover blood in your stool when wiping, hemorrhoids are usually responsible. In this widespread disease, the erectile tissue is enlarged and can cause various symptoms, such as diarrhea or bleeding, which is usually caused by pushing too hard. You should have the status quo checked by a doctor: If the hemorrhoids are permanently enlarged, they are usually removed and you can rest easy.
Intestinal polyps
Polyps are small growths that are located in the intestine. If they are greatly enlarged, this can also lead to bleeding, which can be noticed when wiping on toilet paper or in the stool. Like haemorrhoids, these are removed - as intestinal polyps are considered a precursor to cancer, they are sent to the laboratory for testing.
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Intestinal tumor
It is so important to discuss blood in the stool with your doctor to rule out an intestinal tumor! Tumors in the stomach or small intestine can also be a reason why blood is found on toilet paper or in the stool. For this reason, a gastroscopy and colonoscopy are usually performed to take a tissue sample. This can be used to determine whether the tumors are benign or malignant. Depending on the findings, appropriate treatment is initiated.
Chromium disease or ulcerative colitis
This chronic inflammatory bowel disease occurs in episodes and affects patients severely. Younger people are usually affected. The intestinal mucosa becomes extremely irritated, which can lead to bleeding. A colonoscopy is also carried out to determine whether this disease is actually present. As there is currently no cure for intestinal inflammation, we can only work to alleviate the disease.
Diverticula
These are protrusions of the intestinal wall (large intestine). The widespread disease is called diverticulosis - if the diverticula become inflamed (diverticulitis), bleeding can also occur, which can be seen when wiping on toilet paper. It is often enough to change your diet, as most people with diverticulosis suffer from constipation. Above all, eat a high-fiber diet!
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Repeated blood in the stool when wiping: When do you need to see a doctor?
As already mentioned at the beginning, you should always take bleeding in the stool seriously - without immediately suspecting the worst behind it. However, the doctor must get to the bottom of the cause in order to rule out serious illnesses and generally be able to take appropriate measures against the symptoms. Please see a doctor immediately if you experience any other symptoms:
- Stomach pain
- Pain during bowel movements
- nausea
- Vomiting (may also contain blood)
- Permanent tiredness and exhaustion
- Rapid weight loss
- Heavy sweating at night.