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The presence of bright red blood in stool, known as hematochezia, typically indicates lower gastrointestinal bleeding. Digested blood from the upper gastrointestinal tract may appear black rather than red, resulting in "coffee ground" vomit or melena. [2] Other signs and symptoms include feeling tired, dizziness, and pale skin color. [18]
A lower gastrointestinal bleed is defined as bleeding originating distal to the ileocecal valve, which includes the colon, rectum, and anus. [2] LGIB was previously defined as any bleed that occurs distal to the ligament of Treitz, which included the aforementioned parts of the intestine and also included the last 1/4 of the duodenum and the entire area of the jejunum and ileum. [1]
Blood in stool looks different depending on how early it enters the digestive tract—and thus how much digestive action it has been exposed to—and how much there is. The term can refer either to melena, with a black appearance, typically originating from upper gastrointestinal bleeding; or to hematochezia, with a red color, typically originating from lower gastrointestinal bleeding. [6]
Cramping may also occur during or after sex, during bowel movements, or while urinating.” Longstanding, severe endometriosis can cause a condition called frozen pelvis, which may lead to chronic ...
Bloody diarrhea and abdominal pain may be more prominent features in severe disease. [12] The severity of abdominal pain with UC varies from mild discomfort to very painful bowel movements and abdominal cramping. [14] High frequency of bowel movements, weight loss, nausea, fatigue, and fever are also common during disease flares.
Depending on the amount of the blood loss, symptoms may include shock. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by peptic ulcers, gastric erosions, esophageal varices, and rarer causes such as gastric cancer. The initial assessment includes measurement of the blood pressure and heart rate, as well as blood tests to determine the hemoglobin.
It could be challenging to pinpoint the precise location of the blood if there is a lot of blood in the stomach. [6] Tagged red blood cell scintigraphies are a precise way to locate the bleeding vessels and pinpoint the area where they are bleeding. It can be applied to chronic and recurrent rectal bleeding with no apparent cause.
The frequency of urges to defecate, the large volume of liquid feces ejected, and the presence of blood, mucus, or pus depends on the pathogen causing the disease. Temporary lactose intolerance can occur, as well. In some occasions, severe abdominal cramps, fever, shock, and delirium can all be symptoms. [2] [14] [15] [16]