Rectal Bleeding

Progressive Surgical Care

Colorectal Surgeons and General Surgeons located in Howard Beach, Queens & New Hyde Park, Long Island

If you have hemorrhoids or struggle with frequent constipation, your risk of rectal bleeding increases. At Progressive Surgical Care, with New York offices in Flushing, Forest Hills, New Hyde Park, Long Island and Howard Beach, Queens, the skilled medical team is highly experienced with the many conditions that can lead to rectal bleeding. You can expect a customized treatment plan that addresses the root cause of your bleeding to eliminate your symptoms and protect your health. Find out more about nonsurgical and surgical treatments available by calling the office nearest you today.

Rectal Bleeding Q & A

What causes rectal bleeding?

There are several reasons why you might notice blood in the toilet or on the toilet tissue after a bowel movement. Rectal bleeding is often the result of hemorrhoids, swollen veins in the anus that develop when you strain too much during urination or passing stool.

Other common causes of rectal bleeding include:

Cancer
Polyps
Trauma
Colitis
Diverticulosis
Atrio-venous malformations
Diarrhea
Anal fistulas
Anal fissures
Inflammatory bowel diseases

Other underlying medical conditions or injuries can cause rectal bleeding, so it’s important to receive a proper diagnosis as soon as possible to protect your health.

How is rectal bleeding diagnosed?

The Progressive Surgical Care physicians work to identify the problem or problems that could be causing your rectal bleeding by reviewing your medical history and performing a physical exam.

In many cases, the experienced physicians can pinpoint the origin of the blood based on its appearance. Bright red blood is usually a sign that blood is coming from the rectum or anus. If the blood is a maroon shade of red, bleeding is likely coming from the right side of your colon.

If blood is in your stool, it appears dark black and gives your stool a tarry consistency. These symptoms suggest you have a bleeding issue somewhere in the upper gastrointestinal tract.

The Progressive Surgical Care medical team offers in-office stool testing to check for abnormalities and infections that can trigger bleeding.

Depending on the severity of the bleeding and your overall health, the team will recommend a diagnostic colonoscopy to better examine the internal lining of your colon and rectum.

What treatments are available for rectal bleeding?

If bleeding is the result of hemorrhoids, your Progressive Surgical Care physician can recommend topical creams to help treat all the hemorrhoids.

In some cases, a rubber band ligation is necessary to treat recurring, prolapsing and bleeding hemorrhoids. A rubber band ligation involves the “painless” placing small rubber bands around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply until the hemorrhoid falls off at a later date.

If bleeding is due to constipation, your Progressive Surgical Care doctor could first recommend getting more fiber in your diet and using stool softeners to prevent additional bleeding.

Bleeding due to polyps usually requires the removal of the growths during a colonoscopy or a minimally invasive surgery. Some polyps require a biopsy to ensure there’s no sign of cancer.

If you experience rectal bleeding, don’t delay a consultation with the experienced physicians at Progressive Surgical Care. One look may save your life. Learn more about custom treatments by calling the office nearest you or by booking an appointment online today.

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