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Blood in the stool may be caused by irritation of the bowel
during a bowel movement. It can also be caused by straining very hard,
by an ulcer or a tumor in the bowel, by hemorrhoids (enlarged blood
vessels in or around the anus), a pressure sore or ulcer in the anal
area, or a low platelet count (see the section on blood counts).
What to look for
- Blood on toilet tissue
- Blood on
underwear, sheets, or underpads
- Streaks of blood in stool
- Bright red blood from rectum
- Dark red or black
bowel movements (But remember that eating beets can cause red stools,
and iron tablets or bismuth medicines such as Pepto-Bismol®
and
Kaopectate® can temporarily cause black
stools. This is
normal.)
What the patient can do
- Check how much blood is being passed.
- Avoid placing anything in the rectum, including
suppositories, enemas,
thermometers, etc.
- Keep stool soft by taking in plenty of fluids and fiber.
- Use stool softeners, and avoid enemas or laxatives.
- Wash anal area very carefully with warm, soapy water, rinse
well, and pat dry.
- A sitz bath (sitting in warm water) may
be helpful for hemorrhoids.
What caregivers can do
- Help the patient watch for bleeding.
- Offer extra fluids, fruits, and vegetables to keep stool
soft.
Call the doctor if the patient:
- has blood on toilet tissue 2 or more times
- has blood streaks in stool
- has bright red blood
from rectum
- has dark red or black stools
Go to a list of symptoms to find
other problems in Caring for the
Patient with Cancer at Home: A Guide for Patients and Families.
Revised: 04/07/08
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