What Is Rectal Bleeding? Rectal bleeding (known medically as hematochezia) can refer to any blood that passes from your anus, although rectal or anal bleeding is usually assumed to refer to bleeding from rectum or your colon. It may show up as blood in your stool, blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. Blood caused by rectal bleeding from anus can range in color from bright red blood in stool to dark maroon to a dark tarry color. There are many possible causes of anal bleeding and complete evaluation and early diagnosis by your gastroenterologist is very important. Hematochezia should always be evaluated with a thorough consultation and examination by a specialist in NYC for an accurate diagnosis and blood in stool treatment plan as it may be a symptom or sign of a serious illness or condition. Rectal bleeding can be a symptom of colorectal or anal cancer, a type of cancer that can be cured if detected early. In addition to a complete physical exam and medical history, colonoscopy is the gold standard for visual evaluation of your colon for an accurate diagnosis and can detect polyps, mass lesions, abnormalities of the lining of the intestine, and many other causes for your symptoms. There are many possible causes of anal bleeding and complete evaluation and early diagnosis by your gastroenterologist is very important. This condition can also be caused by bleeding hemorrhoids, anal fissures, colitis, or many other causes that are amenable to diagnosis and treatment. Disorder higher up in the digestive tract can also lead to bleeding from anus. For these reasons, an examination with an experienced gastroenterologist like our blood in stool doctors is the first step to identifying the underlying rectal bleeding causes and determining the best hematochezia treatment options. The cause needs to be properly diagnosed in order to have the correct treatment. Common causes of rectal bleeding include internal hemorrhoids bleeding and anal fissures. Along with a thorough physical exam, colonoscopy is the gold standard for visual evaluation of the colon for diagnosis. These conditions can be better treated if diagnosed and treated early. According to the study “Factors identifying higher risk rectal bleeding in general practice” published on PubMed: “Rectal bleeding is common in the community and may be an early symptom of bowel cancer. The most useful factors in identifying higher risk groups were rectal bleeding in combination with a change in bowel habit to looser stools and/or an increased frequency of defaecation, bleeding without perianal symptoms and age over 60 years.” What Are the Symptoms of Rectal Bleeding? Rectal bleeding symptoms include: Straining and constipation Abdominal pain Itching Swelling around the anus Skin problems Bloody diarrhea For more information about Manhattan Gastroenterology practice or to schedule an appointment, please contact our Union Square office at (212) 378-9983 or our Manhattan`s Upper East Side office at (212) 427-8761. Read more: https://www.manhattangastroenterology.com/conditions/rectal-bleeding/ Manhattan Gastroenterology 55 W. 17th St, Ste 102, New York, NY 10011 (212) 378–9983 Web Address: https://www.manhattangastroenterology.com/ Office Location (Union Square): https://www.manhattangastroenterology.com/gastroenterologist-union-square/ Our locations on the map: https://goo.gl/maps/iyoSymzvWrhou8EG8 https://plus.codes/87G8P2Q4+M4 New York Nearby Locations: Greenwhich Village | East Village | West Village | Kips Bay | Stuyvesant Town | Gramercy Park | Rose Hill | Nomad | Murray Hill | Koreatown 10009 | 10010 | 10011 | 10014 | 10016 | 10017 | 10453 Working Hours: (Union Square) Monday — Thursday: 8:00 am — 7:00 pm Friday: 8:00 am — 5:00 pm Saturday -Sunday: CLOSED Payment: cash, check, credit cards.