Hemorrhoids — Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectum or anus that can be painful, itchy, and can sometimes bleed (figure 1). Painless rectal bleeding with a bowel movement is a common symptom of hemorrhoids. Bright red blood typically coats the stool or blood may drip into the toilet or stain toilet paper.
What kind of doctor treats rectal bleeding? Rectal bleeding usually is managed by a gastroenterologist, a colon and rectal surgeon, or a proctologist.
Bright red blood in the stool typically indicates that there is bleeding in the rectum or colon, which may be a sign of colon or rectal cancer. Rectal bleeding can also be caused by hemorrhoids.
Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have rectal bleeding that lasts more than a day or two, or earlier if the bleeding worries you. Generally, people younger than 40 who whose rectal bleeding is from an obvious cause, such as hemorrhoids, don't need testing.
Bright red blood may be seen only on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement – not mixed freely with the bowel motion. This type of bleeding is usually caused by haemorrhoids (piles) or anal fissure. Both can be caused by constipation, and may cause difficult and painful bowel movements.
Stress doesn't cause ulcerative colitis. But chronic stress can kick your immune system into overdrive triggering chronic inflammation, which increases ulceration and causes bleeding. You can't eliminate all stress, but you can learn ways to manage stress and your emotions.
Potential causes of hematuria include urinary tract infection (UTI), kidney infection, a bladder or kidney stone, enlarged prostate, kidney disease, cancer, genetic disorders such as sickle cell anemia, kidney injury, use of certain medications and vigorous exercise.