Rectal Bleeding Treatment in Bathinda

Don't Ignore Blood in Stool

Rectal bleeding — blood in or on your stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl — is a symptom that should never be dismissed. While it is most commonly caused by benign conditions like haemorrhoids or anal fissures, it can also be a sign of colorectal cancer, polyps, or inflammatory bowel disease. Dr. Raman Garg, Senior Surgical Gastroenterologist at Bombay Gastro & Cancer Institute, Bathinda, provides expert evaluation and treatment for all causes of rectal bleeding.

Common Causes of Rectal Bleeding

Haemorrhoids (Piles)

Most common cause. Swollen veins in rectum/anus. Bright red blood, painless or painful. Laser treatment available.

Anal Fissure

Small tear in anal lining. Bright red blood with severe pain during defecation. Treatable medically or surgically.

Colorectal Polyps

Benign growths that can bleed and turn cancerous. Removed during colonoscopy (polypectomy).

Colorectal Cancer

Cancer of colon or rectum. Blood may be bright red or occult. Requires urgent evaluation.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis. Blood mixed with mucus, urgency, diarrhoea.

Diverticular Disease

Bleeding from diverticula (small pouches in colon wall). Often painless, may be heavy.

Infectious Colitis

Bacterial infection (Salmonella, E. coli). Bloody diarrhoea with cramping.

Rectal Prolapse

Rectum protrudes outside. Bright red bleeding with mucous discharge.

Emergency Warning Signs

Call emergency services immediately for:

Heavy rectal bleeding that doesn't stop
Passing large blood clots
Black, tarry stools (melena) — indicates upper GI bleeding
Bleeding with severe abdominal pain
Bleeding with dizziness, fainting, or rapid heartbeat
Signs of shock — pale, cold, clammy skin, confusion

Understanding Blood Colour

Blood Appearance	Likely Source	Common Causes
Bright red blood	Rectum / anus / lower colon	Haemorrhoids, anal fissure, rectal polyps
Dark red/maroon blood	Upper/mid colon	Colon cancer, diverticulosis, colitis
Black tarry stools	Stomach / small bowel	Emergency — peptic ulcer, varices

Diagnostic Work-Up

Digital rectal examination (DRE) — first-line clinical assessment
Proctoscopy / Anoscopy — direct visualization of anus and lower rectum
Flexible sigmoidoscopy — visualizes rectum and lower sigmoid colon
Colonoscopy — gold standard; visualizes entire colon
Complete blood count — assess for anaemia from chronic blood loss
Stool occult blood test — detects hidden (occult) blood
CT angiography — for brisk, unlocalized bleeding

Treatment Options

Haemorrhoids — rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, laser haemorrhoidectomy, surgical haemorrhoidectomy
Anal fissure — topical creams, botulinum toxin injection, lateral internal sphincterotomy
Polyps — endoscopic polypectomy (removed during colonoscopy)
Colorectal cancer — laparoscopic colectomy ± chemotherapy
IBD — medical therapy (mesalamine, steroids, biologics)
Diverticular bleeding — usually self-limiting; embolization or surgery for persistent bleeding
Infectious colitis — appropriate antibiotics and supportive care

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rectal bleeding always a sign of cancer?

No — most rectal bleeding (especially bright red blood) is caused by benign conditions like haemorrhoids (piles), anal fissures, or colitis. However, any rectal bleeding should be evaluated by a doctor to rule out serious causes including colorectal cancer.

What does the colour of rectal blood tell us?

Bright red blood usually indicates bleeding from the lower colon, rectum, or anus (haemorrhoids, fissures). Dark red or maroon blood suggests bleeding from the upper colon. Black tarry stools (melena) indicate bleeding from the stomach or upper GI tract and are a medical emergency.

When is rectal bleeding an emergency?

Seek immediate care if bleeding is heavy or doesn't stop, if you pass large clots, if you have black tarry stools, if bleeding is accompanied by severe abdominal pain, dizziness, fainting, or rapid heartbeat.

What tests are needed for rectal bleeding?

A complete blood count, colonoscopy (or flexible sigmoidoscopy), anoscopy, and stool tests are typically performed. CT scan may be needed for brisk bleeding. The specific tests depend on the clinical presentation and suspected cause.

Dr. Raman Garg