There are two ways you will find out there is blood in your stool. You'll see it when you go or a sample will be taken that tests positive. Both are a frightening experience, because there are some very serious conditions that have this as a symptom.
Let's start with the least frightening. Every time you take anything with aspirin in it, whether it's in its original form as willow bark or in the convenient little tablet from the pharmacy, you will have intestinal bleeding. There are no ifs, ands or buts about it. It will always happen. Most of the time, you won't even know because it tends to only cause minor bleeding.
Hemorrhoids can also cause bleeding, and it usually presents itself as blood, where anything higher in the gastrointestinal tract may be harder to detect. They, too, are usually minor but annoying problems.
The color of the blood in your stools is very important, as it gives you an idea as to where it originates. If it is black, tarry and/or like coffee grounds, it probably occurred in the upper GI tract. Bacteria breaks it down to give it this distinctive color, texture...and odor. It usually smells very bad.
Maroon colored blood is at the top of your lower GI tract, usually the right and/or transverse colon. If it is bright red, it could come from the anus, rectum or colon. Knowing this can help the doctor narrow down what and where to look for problems.
While it is fairly rare, diverticulitis can cause bleeding from this area. There will be other symptoms, including tenderness, changes in bowel habits, diarrhea, etc. Diverticulitis is caused by a weakening in the colon that allow pouches to form.
Ulcers can be a cause of bleeding, and the condition is most associated with the stomach or duodenum, the first segment of small intestine after the stomach. This condition gives you the tarry, smelly stools. It was once thought that all kinds of things led to ulcers, but most of the time, they are caused by a bacteria, called h. pylori. Your doctor will prescribe an antibiotic and it should clear up.
One of the most frightening things that can be a cause of blood in stools is colorectal cancer. Before I go further, if blood is your only symptom, it is less than likely that this is the problem. Many symptoms will appear for this medical condition. Also, bear in mind that many other, less serious conditions can mimic cancer. Your doctor will be able to help you with the proper diagnosis. The other symptoms can include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, changes in bowel habits, narrowed stools, weight loss, pain, cramps and so on.
If you find blood in your feces, it is very important that you see your doctor. Even relatively minor blood loss can cause problems with the rest of your body, and if it is serious it is better to catch it early. It's equally important to know what all types of blood in your feces looks like. Be wary if your stool suddenly begins to resemble coffee grounds, is black, tarry and has a very foul odor. Any combination of these should be assessed by your doctor.
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