Rectal Bleeding

Gastrocare of Southwest Ohio LLC

Gastroenterologists located in Hamilton, OH & Middletown, OH

If you experience bleeding from your rectum (rectal bleeding), it could be a sign of a serious gastrointestinal (GI) problem requiring treatment. At Gastrocare of Southwest Ohio LLC in Hamilton and Monroe, Ohio, gastroenterologist Dilip Bearelly, MD, and his expert team can diagnose and treat the root cause of rectal bleeding. Schedule an appointment with Gastrocare of Southwest Ohio LLC by phone or request one online today.

Rectal Bleeding Q & A

What is rectal bleeding?

Rectal bleeding occurs when your rectum, located at the end of your digestive tract, starts to bleed. You might notice blood in your stool, blood when you wipe after passing stool, or a bright red color in your toilet. Because rectal bleeding could be a sign of a serious problem, see Dr. Bearelly and his team for an evaluation right away.

What causes rectal bleeding?

Rectal bleeding can indicate one of the following GI disorders:

Hemorrhoids
Anal fissures
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Ulcers
Rectal or anal swelling
Rectal prolapse
Trauma
Colorectal polyps
Colon, rectal, or anal cancer
Ulcerative colitis
Intestine infections
Diverticulitis

Along with rectal bleeding, you may also experience a change in stool color, anal pain while passing stool or sitting down, an inability to control stool passage, unintentional weight loss, dizziness, or even fainting.

How does my doctor diagnose the cause of rectal bleeding?

To find the root cause of rectal bleeding and develop a treatment plan, Dr. Bearelly discusses your symptoms and medical history. He completes a physical examination, which might include a digital rectal exam, or recommend you undergo blood tests, stool tests, upper endoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, colonoscopy, or capsule colonoscopy.

Dr. Bearelly inserts a scope with a video camera into your mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine during an upper endoscopy. With a colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy, he inserts a scope into your rectum.

For a capsule colonoscopy, you swallow a tiny, pill-sized camera that takes videos of the inside of your digestive tract.

What is the treatment for rectal bleeding?

Depending on the cause of rectal bleeding, Dr. Bearelly might recommend one of the following treatments:

Dietary changes
Other lifestyle changes
Dietary supplements
Oral medications
Topical creams
Injections
Minimally invasive procedures

If colorectal cancer is the cause of rectal bleeding, Dr. Bearelly can remove cancerous tissue during a minor surgical procedure. You might also require radiation therapy, chemotherapy, targeted drug therapy, immunotherapy, or other types of cancer treatments.

Don’t live with rectal bleeding that may indicate a severe GI tract problem. Call Gastrocare of Southwest Ohio LLC to schedule an appointment or request a consultation online today.

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