Blood in the Stool

Any process within the intestinal tract that causes bleeding can result in blood in the toilet or on your undergarments. Hemorrhoidal bleeding is usually scant, a few drops or sometimes as much as a couple of teaspoons. If you feel weak, light-headed, or dizzy combined with more significant blood loss, seek medical attention immediately. There are a number of potential causes of intestinal bleeding, some of which can be serious. Small bleeds may be a warning of a larger bleed to come.

Never assume that bleeding is from hemorrhoids, especially if you are over age 40 or have no history of previous hemorrhoid problems. If you have black and/or tar-like stools, see a doctor immediately. Gastrointestinal specialists use upper and/or lower endoscopy (long telescopic probes with a leading video camera inserted via the mouth or anus) to diagnose gastrointestinal bleeding. If they cannot determine the source of bleeding with endoscopy, they might use a nuclear scan or even angiography (a dye study of the arteries) in the investigation.

Hemorrhoids

Most often, bright red blood with a bowel movement is due to bleeding from hemorrhoid veins. Hemorrhoid bleeding may occur when enlarged and inflamed blood vessels that line the anal canal rupture. You may also experience pain with defecation or anal itching. Enlarged hemorrhoids are caused by excessive and repeated pressure on the rectum caused by constipation, straining, or prolonged sitting. Often a bout of diarrhea precedes the symptoms of inflamed hemorrhoids.

Treat hemorrhoids with topical steroid preparations, in cream or suppository form, and stool softeners. Frequent warm soaks in the tub keep the area clean and provide additional relief. Chronic sufferers should avoid prolonged straining and sitting, and choose a diet high in fiber to avoid constipation. Bulking agents such as Metamucil or Citrucel may help you stay regular.

When you least expect it you can have bleeding hemorrhoids and it can be an uncomfortable situation. You may stand up after going to the bathroom and find that there is blood which can cause you to panic.

What you should know is that bleeding hemorrhoids are actually something that can happen to anyone and most of the time they are not something to worry about. They can be internal or external and they are not always a serious condition. In fact, they are usually very common.

When you have this condition it happens when the veins in your rectum become swollen. Often they can clear up on their own but if you continue to have bleeding it is time to go to a physician.

Bleeding hemorrhoids can be very painful. You may see the blood externally or you might see blood in your stool or when you wipe yourself after defecation.

There are many common causes for this condition and here are a few:

• Constipation that lasts for awhile and you strain to go
• Drinking too much caffeine or alcohol
• Pregnancy
• Weak valves in the rectum or poor muscle tone in the rectal veins because of prolonged sitting.
• Hard stools

Bleeding Hemorrhoids Treatment

If you are wondering how to help bleeding Hemorrhoids go away, there are many ways to help with hemorrhoids that can be tried before they become a serious condition. Usually over the counter medications like Preparation-H or stool softeners can help in this area. If you have external hemorrhoids you can try a Hydrocortisone cream that will help to shrink them.

You can also find Hydrocortisone suppositories as a possible treatment for internal hemorrhoids and you can also find these over the counter. Usually the pharmacist can help you find one that works.

When they are very painful and the condition seems to be worse some people will opt for, what is sometimes painful, hemorrhoid surgery that actually removes them. Today you can also get laser surgery to shrink the hemorrhoids which may require several treatments to do so.

There are also natural remedies that people are using to help bleeding hemorrhoids. As an example, a product called Venapro seems to be helping people because it provides two solutions. One is a product that can be used in the anal area and the other can be taken internally to help with stool softening.

Prevention Of Hemorrhoids

On of best way to prevent hemorrhoids is deal with any problems with constipation that you have. Try to add more fiber to your diet to help ease the strain. Adding a dietary supplement like Flaxseed oil can be what you need or eating more foods like beans, fresh fruits, or vegetables can help. Stop straining when going to the bathroom and also don’t stay in on the toliet for to long.

Constipation is often a sign of being dehydrated so add water and other non-carbonated and no caffeine liquids to your diet can help improve your stool softening.