Rectal Bleeding means blood that passes through the anus, although rectal bleeding is usually to refer the bleeding from your lower colon or rectum. Blood can range in color from bright red to dark maroon. The prevalence of rectal bleeding was significantly higher in younger persons. By stepwise logistic regression analysis, constipation and diarrhoea were independent predictors of rectal bleeding.
Causes
- Anal fissure
- Chronic constipation
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal cancer
- Colon cancer
- Colon polyps
- Cholecystitis
- Diverticulosis
- Radiation therapy
- Rectal prolapsed
- Ulceration colitis
Tests
- Visual inspection
- Digital examination
Statistics:
In total, 1643 responded (77%). Rectal bleeding was reported by 235 subjects (age- and gender-adjusted prevalence, 15.5 per 100; 95% confidence interval [CI], 13.6-17.4); 218 found blood on wiping, 74 noted blood coating the stools, and 46 reported dark blood mixed in the stools. The prevalence of rectal bleeding was significantly higher in younger persons. By step-wise logistic regression analysis, constipation and diarrhea were independent predictors of rectal bleeding.
Among those with rectal bleeding, 13.9% had visited a physician for bowel problems in the prior yr; only a history of abdominal surgery was an independent predictor of physician visits but this explained just 15.9% of the deviance.