A healthy
stool is usually solid, soft, and brown. While diarrhea is unpleasant, it is
not usually a sign of something serious. Red or bloody diarrhea, however, may
be a sign of an underlying health problem.
Diarrhea occurs when
digested food material and water pass through the intestines too quickly.
Instead of having time to form a solid mass, the material passes through in a
liquid form.
Red
diarrhea may be alarming, but stool color can help a person determine the cause
of their symptoms. In this article, we look at the possible causes and
treatment, as well as what other stool colors mean.
Causes
Six
causes of red diarrhea:
Dysentery: Diarrhea with blood is called dysentery. The most common
causes of dysentery are Shigella bacteria
or Entamoeba histolytica, a type
of parasite. These can cause severe infections that inflame the intestines
enough to result in bleeding.
Red foods: Foods that are naturally red or contain
red food coloring can turn the stool red. Red diarrhea might occur if the food
that a person eats causes food poisoning or irritates
the stomach. Foods that can turn stool red include beets, cranberries, red
candy, red frosting, red licorice, tomatoes, and tomato sauce.
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding: A
range of conditions can result in GI bleeding, including colon polyps,
inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or gastric
cancer. These conditions can cause significant blood loss that may
turn diarrhea red.
Hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids are swollen blood
vessels that occur inside the rectum and anus. They are a common cause of
rectal bleeding and red diarrhea.
Medications: The side effects of some
medications may cause red stool. They can also irritate the stomach and
potentially lead to diarrhea. Medications that cause red stools include
liquid antibiotics.
Anal fissure: Sometimes a scratch in the
rectal area called an anal fissure can cause the stool to appear bloody. In
this case, it may only be a small amount of bright red blood.
Other
stool colors
Looking
at stool color can often help a person determine what is causing their
gastrointestinal symptoms.
Stool
can come in a range of colors and have a variety of causes:
Black stools: Tarry, black stools or stools
the consistency of coffee grounds can
indicate potential gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. Black diarrhea can sometimes
point to an upper GI bleed because the blood has had more time to travel
through the GI tract and darken. Certain foods, such as licorice or high
quantities of grape juice, may also turn stool black.
Green stools: Green stools may be due to the
presence of bile in the stool. Taking iron supplements can also cause stool to
become dark green.
Pale stools: Pale or clay-colored stools
may indicate stones in the bile duct that empty from the gallbladder. If a
person observes dark urine as well, this is a further sign that the gallbladder
or liver could be the underlying cause. Some antacids that contain aluminum
hydroxide can also cause pale stools.
Yellowish, greasy stool: Yellow stool may be a
sign of an infection or a malabsorption disorder, such as celiac disease.
Everything you should know about
dysentery
Dysentery can cause severe stomach
cramps and diarrhea. Without proper hydration, it can even be fatal. Learn
more.
READ NOW
Treatment
When a
person has diarrhea, they can lose a significant amount of fluid via their
stool. When this happens, a person can become dehydrated.
A person
should drink small sips of water or an electrolyte-replacement beverage
regularly to help replace the lost water. Electrolyte powders are available
for purchase
online.
Diarrhea
is often a way in which the body gets rid of an unwanted virus. Instead of
prescribing medications that would slow the intestines and cause the body to
retain the bacteria for longer, doctors may encourage a person to allow the
diarrhea to run its course.
However,
prolonged diarrhea may require additional treatments, such as intravenous
fluids and medications to reduce cramping in the bowels.
In more
severe cases of dysentery, a person may be given antibiotics or amoebicidal
medications, or both if the exact cause is unknown.
If a
person's red diarrhea is due to GI bleeding, they may require a blood
transfusion until the body can produce more blood. This procedure takes place
in the hospital, and the person will need to remain there until their blood
count is within a normal range.
If a
person thinks red diarrhea is due to their medication, they should speak to a
doctor about possible alternatives.
Prevention
If red
diarrhea is the result of dysentery or infection, a person can take steps to
prevent it in the future.
Ways to
help prevent red diarrhea include:
Thoroughly
cleaning all food preparation areas.
Cooking
foods thoroughly, as raw foods are more likely to carry Shigella bacteria.
Drinking
bottled or boiled water when traveling to a foreign country.
Avoiding
sexual contact with a person with an active shigellosis infection or who has
recently been ill with the Shigella virus.
Not
swallowing water used for recreational purposes, such as water from a lake or
river.
Washing
hands frequently with soap and water, especially after touching contaminated
surfaces or changing a diaper.
Avoiding
food dyes known to cause red diarrhea can also help to keep this symptom at
bay.
Source: Medical News Today
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