Bleeding anus, identify the disease that could be the cause

The anus is the tube that connects to the lower part of the large intestine. This channel serves as a temporary shelter for stool before it is expelled through the anus. Please note that the anus also often bleeds.

If you have experienced this condition suddenly, it is necessary to treat it with further tests. The reason is, a bleeding anus can indicate a serious disease of the digestive system.

Other symptoms accompanying anal bleeding

The appearance of blood during bowel movements is the main feature of bleeding in the anus. Patients with this condition usually find blood that comes out of the anus in bright red, dark red, blackish colors or called melena.

The difference in color can help determine where the bleeding is coming from.

Blood that is light in color usually indicates an injury to the lower digestive tract, namely the large intestine or rectum. Dark red blood usually comes from bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract, namely the stomach and small intestine.

In addition, you will generally feel pain in the anus, pass red, maroon, or black stools, and feel dizzy. Sometimes if the bleeding is more, the patient may experience fainting.

Various diseases that cause the anus to bleed

Below are a number of conditions that can cause the anus to bleed suddenly.

1. Hemorrhoid

Piles (hemorrhoids) is a disease caused by swelling of the blood vessels at the bottom of the rectum or around the anus.

This condition is generally characterized by pain, irritation, and intense itching around the anus. You may also experience heartburn accompanied by pain, as well as stool that doesn't pass when you have a bowel movement.

2. Gastric ulcers

Anus that bleeds suddenly can also indicate stomach disorders. Gastric ulcers are sores on the stomach wall caused by abrasion of the stomach wall and bacterial infection H. pylori.

This disease is characterized by changes in appetite, nausea and vomiting, bloody stools, and other digestive disorders.

3.Diverticulitis (inflammation of the large intestine sac)

Diverticulitis is an inflammatory disease of the diverticula, which is a group of small sacs that run along the large intestine. Symptoms can include severe pain in the stomach, nausea and vomiting, fever, blood in the stool, and sudden bleeding in the rectum.

This disease can also progress to infection if there are food debris blocking the entrance to the pouch collection.

Unfortunately, it is not known what causes diverticulitis other than heredity and environment, which are believed to increase the risk.

4. Anal fissure

Anal fissure is the condition when the lining of the anus or the channel around it is torn. This tear can be caused by chronic constipation, diarrhea that lasts a long time, the habit of straining during hard or large stools, and anal sex.

A number of diseases such as colitis, Crohn's disease, sexually transmitted infections, and anal cancer can also increase the risk.

The right treatment for anal bleeding

Sometimes, bleeding in the anus can stop on its own without being given special treatment. However, you still have to be careful about every symptom you feel.

When bleeding occurs once and stops, it is likely that the bleeding is not an emergency. In another case, when the bleeding is more profuse and occurs repeatedly, you should immediately seek medical help.

During the examination, the doctor will look at your condition and ask about your symptoms, such as:

since when did bleeding begin,
food that you ate before,
whether bowel movements are disturbed, and
do you have a history of diseases related to diseases of the anal organs.

These questions are asked in order to facilitate the cause of bleeding. In addition, if needed, the doctor will refer you for further tests such as a colonoscopy, blood test, or stool test.

Later, after the disease is detected, treatment will be given according to the disease.

In bleeding anus caused by hemorrhoids, symptoms are generally relieved by consuming fiber supplements or the use of drugs. If this does not help, the doctor can perform medical measures to reduce the size of the hemorrhoids.

For bleeding due to stomach ulcers caused by infection, the doctor may suggest a combination of drugs and antibiotics to kill the bacteria.

If the cause is the erosion of the stomach wall, the drugs given generally aim to reduce stomach acid production and aid wound healing.

Meanwhile, if the cause is anal fissure, the doctor will give you a drug that can soften the stool and reduce pain. Usually the symptoms will resolve on their own after 4 - 6 weeks.

Meanwhile, if these treatments don't help and the anal fissure lasts for more than 8 weeks, you may need to undergo further tests or surgery.

While undergoing treatment, you still have to be aware of any symptoms that appear.

Don't hesitate to ask your doctor if you have concerns about your medications, unusual symptoms, or changes in bowel habits.

This is very important to do so that you can immediately get the right treatment.