How is blood in stool treated?

Bright red blood on paper or outside the stool can occur with haemorrhoids or an anal fissure, particularly after straining or hard stool. Blood mixed through stool, dark stool, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, or a change in bowel habit can have different causes, including infection, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, polyps, or bowel cancer. The appearance alone cannot identify the source.

A clinician may ask when the bleeding began, whether it is recurring, and whether you have pain, mucus, diarrhoea, constipation, tiredness, or weight change. Examination and selected tests help decide whether simple treatment is reasonable or whether bowel investigation is needed.

Arrange a medical appointment for any unexplained or recurring blood in stool. Note its colour, whether it is on the paper or mixed with stool, and any bowel changes. Avoid straining, keep stools soft with fluids and suitable fibre, and do not self-treat repeated bleeding as haemorrhoids without an assessment. Follow advice carefully if a clinician identifies an infection, fissure, or another condition.

Seek urgent help for heavy or ongoing bleeding, black tar-like stool, dizziness, fainting, severe abdominal pain, repeated vomiting, fever with marked illness, or a swollen abdomen. Prompt review is also needed for bleeding with a persistent bowel-habit change, unexplained weight loss, or unusual tiredness.

Ask what the colour and pattern may suggest, whether you need an examination or tests, and how to manage constipation or pain safely. Tell the clinician about blood-thinning medicine, previous bowel problems, family history, and any change in frequency or appearance of the bleeding.