“Bloody Stools?”
Since taking a laxative, I have noticed a little blood in my stool. This started last night. Is it serious?
Female | 40 years old
Complaint duration: 1 day
Medications: none
Conditions: none
4 Answers
Though you may have a totally benign condition(like hemorrhoids, eg), the need for taking a laxative and then noting blood mixed in with your stool indicates the necessity of seeing your doctor and having a colonoscopy scheduled. This is VERY important to rule out colon cancer. Colon cancer is not common in 40-year-old people, but it DOES happen! And as I don't know your risk status, prior sx, clinical details, etc--the BEST thing is to have a colonoscopy to rule out cancer. But if you do have it--then you can be diagnosed early on when it is still in a curable stage. Do NOT delay in having this done it can save your life! Good luck.
This is more related to fissure and hemorrhoids secondary to straining due to constipation. However, due to increased risk of colorectal cancer in young populations, it is recommended to do diagnostic test such as colonoscopy no matter how young you are. The population born after 1990 have 4 times the risk for rectal cancer and two times for colon cancer.
Not all rectal bleeding is serious but some is. You need to be evaluated by a physician to know for sure. I recommend that you be evaluated your doctor.
Most bleeding as described is from hemorrhoids. An anoscope exam or colonoscopy can look for hemorrhoids or other sources such as a polyp or mass.
