Some causes for rectal bleeding

January 26, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I am an 18-year-old male and would like to know if I have a problem or if it is normal. Personally, I think it is a problem. For a while I have been bleeding from my anus. Sometimes it will stop and start but it only occurs when I use the bathroom.

I haven’t told anybody or seen a doctor about it because I am scared. I hope you have an answer or some suggestions. Thank you.

DEAR READER: There are a number of causes for rectal bleeding, to include hemorrhoids, colon polyps, diarrhea, anal fissures (tears in the anal skin), ulcerative and ischemic colitis, Crohn’s disease, proctitis, cancer, and more.
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Daily Column

July 19, 2008 By

DEAR DR. GOTT:
I am a 78-year-old woman in good health. Recent laboratory blood tests were normal. However, during a routine fecal occult test, blood was found in all three slides. I had followed the instructions carefully, so there was no possibility of contamination. My gastroenterologist then performed a colonoscopy, endoscopy and a capsule endoscopy. All three procedures proved negative.

Two and a half years ago I had the same test for the same reason. All three endoscopic tests were negative. The two physicians who performed these tests could not give me any advice as to the source of the blood in the stool samples.

This is a worrisome problem for me. Please advise me if, in your opinion, I should seek further medical advice or simply forget about it.

DEAR READER:
Rectal bleeding and positive fecal occult testing can result from numerous causes, [Read more...]

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