Is "blood in stool" symptom = dark stool? (bleeding, polyps, doctor)

[snowmountains]

This is a general question about the symptom of "blood in stool" that is included in quite a few types of diseases. What is the manifestation of "blood in stool"? Do you recognize it by seeing very dark stool, because internal bleeding usually show themselves as dark blood when the blood is outside? Does internal bleeding always show as dark blood outside? (examples: stomach cancer/ulcer, colon cancer...)

Is bright red blood in stool always/mostly from external injury (such as hemorrhoid)?

[Whatsthenews]

Originally Posted by ssww

This is a general question about the symptom of "blood in stool" that is included in quite a few types of diseases. What is the manifestation of "blood in stool"? Do you recognize it by seeing very dark stool, because internal bleeding usually show themselves as dark blood when the blood is outside? Does internal bleeding always show as dark blood outside? (examples: stomach cancer/ulcer, colon cancer...)

Is bright red blood in stool always/mostly from external injury (such as hemorrhoid)?

It depends where the bleeding is in the intestine.
If the bleeding is higher up in the intestine then the blood in the stool may be altered ie partially digested and is not easy to see,because it's part of the stool, but a FOB (faeces for occult blood)test will detect the blood.I fthere's excessive bleeding then melena (black tarry looking foul smelling stool) may be present.

If the bleeding is occuring in the rectum or lower down in the bowel ,or from hemorrhoids,then it would be bright red,fresh looking blood and there may be blood in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement.

If you have fresh blood in the stool and know you have hemorrhoids then this is the most likely cause, however you should see a doctor if you notice any blood in your stool.

Things like crohns and ulcerative collitis can cause bleeding in addition to the things you mentioned.

[AnywhereElse]

Different foods can cause dark stools as can medications, iron being the one I think of at the moment.

[Gimme3steps]

^^same for Pepto-Bismol. It can also turn your tongue black.

[new jersey mike]

Go to the doctor and chat about it later.

[purehuman]

ssww....I have a close friend and though I don't want to scare you...she has bright red blood in her stool daily, and has unfortunately been recently diagnosed with colon cancer....like new jersey mike said...go have a chat with your doctor...it might just be hemmorhoids...best to make sure.

[55degrees]

Dark stool can be a sign of blood loss in the digestive tract--usually higher up in the tract, as one of the previous posters indicated.
Bright red stool is usually from either a very fast bleed or from blood lower in the digestive tract (not necessarily hemorrhoids).
Blood loss in the digestive tract is not always noticed--that is why testing is there.

Since blood in stool can be potentially very serious, you should talk to your doctor about your concerns.

[jimboburnsy]

Originally Posted by ssww

This is a general question about the symptom of "blood in stool" that is included in quite a few types of diseases. What is the manifestation of "blood in stool"? Do you recognize it by seeing very dark stool, because internal bleeding usually show themselves as dark blood when the blood is outside? Does internal bleeding always show as dark blood outside? (examples: stomach cancer/ulcer, colon cancer...)

Is bright red blood in stool always/mostly from external injury (such as hemorrhoid)?

Dark stools don't necessarily indicate blood in the stool. Dark, shiny stools may.

Bright red blood indicates that the blood is coming from something close to the exit, like hemorrhoids, polyps, rectal injury, etc.

In any event, you are not supposed to have blood in your poo and should not wait around for it to clear up on its own.

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Blood can also be broken blood vessels and dehydration.

[snowmountains]

Thanks for the input. I don't have problem. A relative of mine who saw some bright blood on toilet tissue, wondered if it had to do with the antibiotics taken those days. Could it? I posted this also after seeing another post by someone about blood in stool.