STOOLS WITH BLOOD OR MUCUS

Normal stools do not contain blood or mucus. Stools that show signs of mucus or blood may indicate a medical problem. Bright red blood usually occurs from bleeding near the rectum. Bleeding that occurs higher in the digestive system is seen as dark brown, black, or tarry looking. Blood or mucus may be seen in any type of stools.

Bright red blood can sometimes appear as streaks on toilet tissue or as a drop of blood in the toilet. Some causes of this symptom are:

straining while having a bowel movement
hemorrhoids (swollen veins) in the anal area that also may cause pain, itching,

burning, or throbbing

small splits in the skin called anal fissures
small growths (rectal polyps) on the inner lining of the colon and
diseases of the colon, such as diverticulum, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, or cancer

Any of these problems can cause difficult and painful bowel movements. A fever or illness with red, bloody stools may be a sign of a more serious problem like an inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and dysentery. Inflammatory bowel diseases and infected ulcers can produce mucus or pus in the intestines.

Beginning at age 50, the American Cancer Society recommends a preferred screening that includes a test for blood in the stool (fecal occult blood test) done every year and a flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years. But when blood is found in the stool, a colonoscopy is usually done.

Black, tarry stools can be caused by:

taking iron or bismuth (Pepto Bismol) or eating licorice
peptic ulcers
broken blood vessels in the colon
overuse of alcohol, aspirin, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
anti-blood clotting medications or
cancer of the colon

Seek medical evaluation when bowel movements show signs of blood, mucus, or rectal bleeding. Faintness, sweating, and weakness along with large amounts of blood in the stools require immediate attention.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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