Bleeding from any part of our body is very troublesome for us. Bleeding from our nose, ear, vagina or from anal Canal is not uncommon. Whenever we see bleeding we are always afraid of it and think about any serious illness. Actually, menstrual bleeding is the only normal bleeding from our bodies. And another bleeding from any part of our body is suggestive of some diseases. Hence everybody should be aware of it. In this article, we are talking about bleeding piles, which means bleeding from the anal canal while defecating.
Bleeding piles
Whenever we see blood after defecation or before the start of defecation, we get afraid of thinking about any serious disease. Actually, any type of bleeding from the anal canal is suggestive of disease. This means bleeding piles should not be taken lightly. It has to be investigated thoroughly.
Usually, we think that it may be due to piles. But that is not the case always. Bleeding from defecation may be because of colonic disease, maybe due to any type of blunt injury to the abdomen, maybe from piles, or maybe from rectal or anal cancer.
It could be due to a fissure in ano or sometimes from the internal opening of the fistula (in rare case).
Let’s see all causes which produce bleeding from the anal canal.
Bleeding from piles
Although it is the most common type of bleeding without checking we should not label it as bleeding due to piles. But many times patient himself labels it as a pile’s bleed. And without consulting any specialist doctor, takes treatment on its own from a pharmacy or online vendors. In the case of ayurvedic followers, patients always take treatment from the Ayurved roadside vendors or from any remote village which is so called famous for the treatment of piles.
But all this happens without a check-up of the anal canal and ultimately if that bleeding is not from piles, the patient land up with a serious type of disease which is now beyond cure.
Hence let’s see how the bleeding from bleeding piles is.
Bleeding from piles is many times painless.
It is fresh red in colour. It never mixed with mucus.
It may be droplet dribbling or continuous flow for seconds.
Usually, it stops on its own or when we complete our defecation.
If you have this type of bleeding, then you can think of piles.
Don’t think of piles if you have the following symptoms.
- Bleeding is always associated with mucus.
- Bleeding is associated with some clots.
- Bleeding with very painful defecation.
- Very black-coloured and sticky bleeding.
- Bleeding after any type of trauma to the abdomen or accident.
These all are symptoms of diseases other than piles.
Bleeding from fissure
As you know fissure is a cut in the anal canal or ulceration in the anal canal skin. While defecating due to the stretch of the anal canal muscle, it bleeds. And because of this stretching, it develops intense pain.
It bleeds more often like drop by drop. It stops often after the completion of the motion. After the motion, pain always remains as a burning sensation for about an hour or all day long.
Pain is a more prominent symptom of this bleeding.
Bleeding from rectal cancer
Bleeding from rectal cancer is not seen always. But whenever there is bleeding from the anal canal, the colorectal surgeon has to rule out the possibility of any cancer. Hence he always investigates it thoroughly.
It is always mixed with mucus.( means thick mucoid jelly-like material )
Many times when you pass motion, only blood and mucus come out. This may be typical picture of rectal malignancy (which means cancer)
Sometimes only the passage of mucus seen in defecation.
Defecation may be or may not be painful. Pain is not the main complaint.
Associated features are loss of weight, loss of appetite ( loss of will to eat )
Bleeding from colonic pathology
Bleeding from colonic pathology include bleeding from irritable bowel disease (IBD), bleeding from angiodysplasia, diverticulum disease, ulcerative colitis, radiation proctitis. These all diseases produces bleeding which passes through the anal canal while defecation. Hence we should keep in mind the possibility of all these whenever there is bleeding per anal canal of different type.
What should you do whenever there is bleeding piles
Don’t be panic, after motion, note down whether it was associated with pain or not.
Also note down whether it was before defecation or after defecation. Also remember what was its colour and whether it was associated with mucus jelly or not.
Mucus is the thing which you my get confuse because it is rare thing to pass through anum. Just keep in mind that whenever you feel some fat like or oily things while washing your anus, you can call it mucus passing. Sometimes passing lot of mucoid stool itself explain mucus passing.
Why you need to note down because these are the common questions that you have to face by your doctor. In that situation you should not be confused, hence better you note down your observation.
It also help you to see whenever you go second time for motion. You can better note all these things again.
Consult your family physician and enquire regarding nearby general surgeon for consultation. If your doctor suggest you to take some medicine and assured you that everything will be normal. Do not depend on his opinion completely.
If your symptoms do not relieved completely, consult your nearby general surgeon on your own will.
Sometimes bleeding may stop on its own. And this produces false thinking that medicine has stopped your bleeding, but this could be false assumption.
Even if the bleeding stopped, you are relieved from your symptoms, but if there is a true history of bleeding per anal canal, you should check up yourself to find out the cause behind it. Many times some pathology comes out which needs some treatment. In this way, your second episode of bleeding can also be avoided.