Rectal Bleeding

If you have rectal bleeding, you must seek treatment. At Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island, with offices in Wantagh and Malverne, New York, gastroenterologists Jeffrey Novak, MD, and Zachary Marwil, MD, provide complete care for rectal bleeding. After an exam, they can determine the source of the bleeding and make treatment recommendations. Call the nearest office today or book online to identify the cause of rectal bleeding and be treated for it.

What is rectal bleeding?

Rectal bleeding is a symptom of various medical conditions, including hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and ulcers. You might notice blood on your toilet paper after wiping or several drops of blood in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement.

If you have rectal bleeding, contact Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island, even if you don’t think it’s serious. Early intervention often prevents the problem from becoming worse.

What are the symptoms of rectal bleeding?

The symptoms of rectal bleeding vary, depending on the underlying cause. Even so, telltale signs include:

• Rectal pain or pressure
• Having red or maroon stools
• Feeling lightheaded or dizzy
• Having black or tar-colored stools
• Finding blood in the toilet bowl or on your underwear

Seek treatment even if you think the bleeding results from something minor, like hemorrhoids or an anal fissure.

What causes rectal bleeding?

Rectal bleeding happens for various reasons, including:

• Hemorrhoids
• Anal fissure
• Anal abscess or fistula
• Diverticulitis
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)

You might also have rectal bleeding because of ulcers (open wounds in the lining of your digestive tract) or polyps (abnormal growths).

How is rectal bleeding diagnosed?

To diagnose rectal bleeding, your Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms. Tell them when the bleeding started, if you have any pain, and if you’ve been constipated.

Next, your provider completes an exam of your rectum and anus. They also order several tests and procedures, including a fecal occult blood test and a colonoscopy.

A fecal occult blood test analyzes a stool sample for the presence of hidden blood. A colonoscopy uses a thin, flexible tube with a light and a camera mounted on its end. This device, called a colonoscope, is used to examine your colon for polyps and/or cancerous growths.

How is rectal bleeding treated?

Treating rectal bleeding depends on various things, including the underlying cause and how severe your symptoms are. Healthy lifestyle changes like eating more fiber, exercising regularly, and drinking lots of water often improve your bowel health.

The team might recommend surgery if you have hemorrhoids or an anal fistula. Chemotherapy and/or radiation therapy might be necessary if you have colon cancer.

Call the nearest Gastrointestinal Specialists of Long Island office today to learn more about treating rectal bleeding, or click the online booking feature.