Frequent bowel movements and fever

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hi, im experiencing frequent use of toilet. often times theres blood when i wipe and sometimes blood in the toilet. i experience bloating and fever. could this be bowel cancer or crohns disease? any other possibilities?

Dear Tiler:

Frequent bowel movements and blood in stool might not necessary be related to bowel inflammatory diseases, in fact you would have other more severe symptoms. Due to your age and symptoms, more common conditions that carry the same symptoms might need to be ruled out first, hemorrhoids could bleed and are also common with strain and frequent bowel movements alternating with constipation.

On the other hand, some types of infection present blood and mucus in stool. If these symptoms were recent this might probably be the cause and this should be ruled out first to start treatment as soon as possible. Once your doctor discards this possibility, gastritis, ulcer and hemorrhoids should be ruled out as well. In the meantime, drink plenty of fluids to replenish your losses, acetaminophen would help you with the fever and avoid alcohol. I wish you a prompt recovery.