What Is Rectal Bleeding?
Rectal bleeding is a common problem and one many people will experience at some point during their lifetime. Of course, it’s also important to recognize when this is a problem that requires medical attention. From minor problems such as external hemorrhoids to more serious issues such as colon cancer, it’s important that if you are experiencing persistent or recurring rectal bleeding that you have a doctor that you can turn to.
The medical team at Babak Mohajer, MD, PC in New York, NY, specializes in colonoscopies and surgeries to treat a variety of conditions that could result in rectal bleeding. First, it’s important to pinpoint the cause of your rectal bleeding so that we can create an effective treatment plan.
Causes of rectal bleeding include,
- Hemorrhoids
- Constipation
- Fissures
- Diarrhea
- Crohn’s disease
- Diverticulosis
- Ulcerative colitis
- Rectal ulcers
- Rectal trauma
- Anal cancer
- Colon cancer
The blood color may range from bright red to black, and sometimes blood may not be visible to the naked eye but can still be detected in a stool analysis. Blood may be visible in the stool or only when you wipe.
If rectal bleeding lasts more than one or two days or if the bleeding gets worse it’s a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor. For most people under 40 years old, rectal bleeding is usually caused by harmless problems such as hemorrhoids that will go away on their own with proper care. Those over 40 years old may require additional testing to rule out certain conditions.
Here at Babak Mohajer, MD, PC, we provide patients with a wide range of diagnostic and treatment options that include nonsurgical solutions, as well. We can treat everything from anal fissures and diverticulosis to colorectal cancer and irritable bowel disorders. If you are experiencing rectal bleeding our physicians can help you treat it.
For minor problems such as hemorrhoids, we may prescribe simple home care and lifestyle modifications to facilitate faster healing; however, we can also provide you with long-term care for chronic health problems such as colitis or Crohn’s disease. If surgery is necessary we can also perform most surgical procedures in our office.
