Rectal bleeding: what to do

Bright-red blood on wiping or on the stool surface can come from the anal canal, particularly after hard stool or straining. Blood mixed with stool, maroon blood, or black tar-like stool may indicate bleeding higher in the digestive tract and should not be ignored.

Possible causes include Diverticular Disease, Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis, gastroenteritis, polyps, and bowel growths. Bowel Cancer and Rectal Cancer need assessment as possibilities, not assumptions based on one symptom.

Note the first episode, colour, amount, clots, trigger, and whether it is recurring. Write down bowel frequency and texture, diarrhoea or constipation, mucus, abdominal symptoms, fever, tiredness, and all medicines.

Contact a primary-care clinician for new or unexplained bleeding, even if it stops. Do not stop prescribed blood thinners without advice. Depending on the findings, the clinician may recommend examination, blood or stool tests, or a bowel procedure such as Polyp Removal.

Call emergency services for a large amount of blood, bleeding that will not stop, repeated clots, fainting, confusion, severe weakness, black stool, or vomiting blood. Get prompt care for severe abdominal pain, a swollen abdomen, fever, or inability to pass stool or gas.

Ask how urgently you need assessment, which source is being considered, what tests could clarify it, and what symptoms should send you to emergency care. Bring your symptom notes and medicine list.