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Causes
By Mayo Clinic staffCauses of rectal bleeding include:
- Anal cancer
- Anal fissure
- Angiodysplasia
- Colon cancer
- Colon polyps
- Constipation
- Crohn's disease
- Diarrhea
- Diverticulosis
- Food poisoning (food-borne illness)
- Hemorrhoids
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Ischemic colitis
- Peptic ulcer
- Pseudomembranous colitis
- Radiation therapy
- Rectal prolapse
- Solitary rectal ulcer syndrome
- Ulcerative colitis
Causes shown here are commonly associated with this symptom. Work with your doctor or other health care professional for an accurate diagnosis.
References
- Greenwald DA. Common disorders of the anus and rectum: Hemorrhoids and fissures. American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/gihealth/hemorrhoids.asp. Accessed March 17, 2009.
- Rectal problems. American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/women/rectal.asp#1. Accessed March 17, 2009.
- Saab S, et al. Etiology of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in adults. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 18, 2009.
- Colorectal diseases and treatments. American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons. http://www.fascrs.org/aboutus/press_room/backgrounders_and_tip_sheets/colorectal. Accessed March 17, 2009.
- Colorectal cancer. American Society of Colon & Rectal Surgeons. http://www.fascrs.org/patients/conditions/colorectal_cancer. Accessed March 17, 2009.
- Langan RC, et al. Ulcerative colitis: Diagnosis and treatment. American Family Physician. 2007;76:1323.
- Burling D, et al. Investigating rectal bleeding. BMJ. 2007;335:1260.
- Saab S, et al. Approach to the adult patient with lower gastrointestinal bleeding. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed March 20, 2009.
