Rectal Bleeding

Blood passing from the bowel, particularly associated with episodes of defecation is relatively common, however it may reflect more worrisome disease which is why it should not be ignored.  15% of the population may have an episode of rectal bleeding in any given year. Often the nature of the bleeding gives clues as to its likely origin. Bright red rectal bleeding on the tissue paper is often a result of a local anal cause such as haemorrhoids or an anal fissure (tear in the anal canal). Whereas blood mixed with the stool in the bowl is often a sign of disease within the bowel itself.