May 25, 2012
Topics A-Z Digestive Disorders Upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding
Upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding |
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Dear Ask The Doctor: Ok so for years I have been bleeding from my backend, having problems with piles and fissures and having diareoea and bouts of conspation. That isn't the problem though as I'm use to that. The thing that's worrying me is, recently, the pain I get in my tummy and when I sit on the loo, I just 'poop' red blood and that's it. Also my stools have turned a lovely black colour. Yuk. The blood that comes out in the bowl of the toilet and on the paper has increased quite a bit. Also it's more or less everyday now. I'm on no medication and haven't changed my diet. I know I can't have bowel cancer as I'm too young (28) but what could it possibly be? Also do I have a right to ask my doctor for an examination at the hospital or would this not be cause for an examination? I have one small pile on the outside (and no doubt internal ones too) and I swear I have a tear somewhere as it really stings when I've passed a bloody stool. Thanks. Dear Marie: The presence of a black tarry foul smelling stool may indicate bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract. The blood becomes partially digested while in transit through the gut, giving rise to the black colour. In addition to abdominal pain this may represent peptic ulceration and bleeding. The presence of fresh red blood in the stool, usually indicates bleeding from the lower end of the gastrointestinal tract, and it is possible that bleeding may occur simultaneously from more than one site. I would advise attending your family doctor for a full blood count examination to check your Haemoglobin level, and an urgent referral to a gastroenterologist for an endoscopy, which allows visualization of the upper gastrointestinal tract through a camera lens and identification of any peptic ulceration. I would also advise discontinuing use of any aspirin or other NSAID’s including ibuprofen, as these medications can predispose to peptic ulceration. If the bleeding is severe, and you experience symptoms of dizziness, light headedness or collapse, please attend your local emergency room. |
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| Last Updated ( Monday, 23 August 2010 ) |
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