WHAT YOU SHOULD
KNOW
The rectum is the last part of the bowel; just inside the
anus. Bleeding in the rectum can range from mild to
life-threatening.
Causes
Bleeding can be caused by rips in
the lining of the rectum; infection; hemorrhoids
(HEM-uh-roids), which are swollen veins of the rectum; polyps
(POL-ips), which are lumps of tissue that bulge out from the
lining; or tumors.
Signs/Symptoms
Typically, you will notice bright
red blood coming out of the rectum or appearing on the stool.
Blood may be found in a test of the stool. Other possible
symptoms are dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting from loss
of blood.
Care
Depends on the cause of bleeding.
You may need surgery or other treatment to stop the bleeding.
You may be given antibiotic medicine to treat an infection. If
there is a lot of bleeding, you may need a blood
transfusion.
Risks
Without treatment, you may
continue to bleed and may even die.
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO
-
Be sure to see your doctor. It's important to find
the cause of the rectal bleeding and start
treatment.
-
Take any medicine the doctor prescribes exactly as
directed. If you feel it is not helping, call your doctor.
Do not quit taking it on your own.
-
You may eat your regular diet. Drink 8 glasses
(soda-can size) of liquids each day.
Call Your Doctor If...
-
You have a high temperature.
-
You start having stomach pain or swelling, nausea, or
vomiting.
-
You see a small amount of bright red blood on your
stool or in the toilet water.
Seek Care Immediately If...
-
You see more than a streak of blood on the toilet
paper after wiping your bottom.
-
You have black stool.
-
You feel dizzy, weak, or faint.
IF YOU'RE HEADING FOR THE
HOSPITAL...
What to Expect While You're
There
You may encounter the following
procedures and equipment during your stay.
-
Colonoscopy (co-lin-OS-ko-pee): To locate the source
of the bleeding, the doctor may order this test, which
gives a view of the inside of the colon (large intestine).
A soft tube with a light and camera lens on the end of it
is inserted through the rectum and pushed into the
colon.
-
Sigmoidoscopy (sig-moid-OS-ko-pee): This test gives
the doctor a view of only the lower end of the colon,
called the sigmoid, and the rectum. A short, flexible tube
with a light and camera lens is used for the
test.
-
Taking Vital Signs: These include your temperature,
blood pressure, pulse (counting your heartbeats), and
respirations (counting your breaths). A stethoscope is used
to listen to your heart and lungs. Your blood pressure is
taken by wrapping a cuff around your
arm.
-
Pulse Oximeter: While you are getting oxygen, you
may be hooked up to a pulse oximeter (ox-IM-uh-ter). It is
placed on your ear, finger, or toe and is connected to a
machine that measures the oxygen in your
blood.
-
Blood: Usually taken from a vein in your hand or
from the bend in your elbow. Tests will be done on the
blood.
-
IV: A tube placed in your vein for giving medicine
or liquids. It will be capped or have tubing connected to
it.
-
Blood Transfusion: If you are losing too much blood,
you may receive a transfusion.
-
Oxygen: Your body may need extra oxygen at this
time. It is given either by a mask or nasal prongs. Tell
your doctor if the oxygen is drying out your nose or if the
nasal prongs bother you.
-
ECG: Also called a heart monitor, an
electrocardiograph (e-lec-tro-CAR-dee-o-graf), or EKG. The
patches on your chest are hooked up to a TV-type screen or
a small portable box (telemetry unit). This screen shows a
tracing of each heartbeat. Your heart will be watched for
signs of injury or damage that could be related to your
illness.
-
NG Tube: Also called a nasogastric (naz-o-GAS-trik)
tube. It is passed through your nose or mouth and down into
your stomach. The tube is attached to suction which will
keep the stomach empty.
-
Strict Intake and Output: Care givers will carefully
watch how much liquid you are getting and how much you are
urinating.
-
Activity: You may need to rest in bed. Once you are
feeling better, you will be allowed to get
up.
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