Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUlcerative ColitisCrohn’s DiseaseWhen to See a Doctor
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Ulcerative Colitis
Crohn’s Disease
When to See a Doctor
One of the many symptoms ofinflammatory bowel disease (IBD)is bleeding. Blood in or on the stool can be frightening. While it can be a sign of an emergency, it’s sometimes part of an IBD flare-up.
IBD is a term for two gastrointestinal conditions with chronic inflammation—ulcerative colitisandCrohn’s disease. With either condition, blood might appear in or on the stool. Some people may pass no stool at all at times and just pass blood.
Bleeding from the rectumand large intestine from IBD is typically red or bright red. Blood coming from higher up in the digestive tract could appear asdarker or black stools. In most cases, this bleeding is slow and steady.
This article discusses how bleeding may occur with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease. It covers symptoms to watch for and how it’s usually treated.
Svetlana Repnitskaya / Getty Images
Bleeding in Ulcerative Colitis
Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and sores called ulcers in the large intestine. Blood in the stool is more common in ulcerative colitis than it is in Crohn’s disease.
The inflammation in ulcerative colitis often involves the rectum. Because the rectum is at the end of the large intestine, blood from this source is quite visible in or on the stool.
Bleeding also occurs with ulcerative colitis because this form of IBD attacks the lining (mucosa) of the large intestine. The ulcers that form in the mucosa of the large intestine tend to bleed.
2:33What Causes Ulcerative Colitis?
2:33
What Causes Ulcerative Colitis?
In some cases, bleeding from ulcerative colitis can lead to significant blood loss. The ultimate goal of treatment will be to calm the inflammation and stop the bleeding. Treating the loss of blood may also be necessary.
Duringileostomy surgery, the large intestine is removed. An opening, or stoma, is created so waste can pass outside the body into a bag worn on the abdomen.
Another surgery might be done at a later date to create aJ-pouch. The J-pouch uses part of your small intestine to form a pouch to connect to the anal canal. This creates a way for you to pass stool the usual way, through the rectum, instead of through the stoma.
Options for Treating Ulcerative Colitis
Bleeding in Crohn’s Disease
Blood in the stool is less common with Crohn’s disease than ulcerative colitis. However, this can vary based on where Crohn’s disease is causing the inflammation.
Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation in the small and large intestines. Crohn’s disease that’s found in the large intestine or rectum, rather than the small intestine, is more likely to cause blood in the stool.
Treating blood loss from Crohn’s disease will be similar to that in ulcerative colitis:
Blood loss can also occur with ananal fissure, which can develop as a complication of Crohn’s disease. A fissure is a tear in the lining of the anal canal. Fissures are more common with Crohn’s than they are with ulcerative colitis. In most cases, they can be treated successfully without surgery.
RecapCrohn’s disease may cause blood in the stool, either from inflammation or from anal fissures. Severe cases of inflammation may require resection surgery, which removes the damaged part of the intestines.
Recap
Crohn’s disease may cause blood in the stool, either from inflammation or from anal fissures. Severe cases of inflammation may require resection surgery, which removes the damaged part of the intestines.
Treatment Options for Crohn’s Disease
Let your doctor know anytime you notice any blood in your stool. It should be discussed with a physician as soon as possible, especially if it hasn’t happened in a while.
Call 911 when:
Summary
Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, conditions that are types of IBD, can cause blood in the stool. Bleeding is more common in ulcerative colitis than Crohn’s disease.
With ulcerative colitis, you may have inflammation around the rectum, which can cause visible blood in the stool. Ulcers in the colon may also lead to bleeding.
Crohn’s disease can cause blood in the stool from inflammation in the colon or rectum. You may also have bleeding from anal fissures, which can be a complication of Crohn’s.
Your doctor will work with you to help get your IBD symptoms, including bleeding, under control. Sometimes blood in the stool can lead to anemia, a low red blood cell count. If the bleeding is severe, you may need emergency treatment, including a blood transfusion or surgery to remove the damaged intestine.
Nutrition and Diet for IBD
2 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ungaro R, Mehandru S, Allen PB, Peyrin-biroulet L, Colombel JF.Ulcerative colitis.Lancet. 2017;389(10080):1756-1770. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32126-2Gajendran M, Loganathan P, Catinella AP, Hashash JG.A comprehensive review and update on Crohn’s disease.Dis Mon. 2018;64(2):20-57. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2017.07.001Additional ReadingAmerican Gastroenterological Association. “Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” Gastro.org Apr 2008.Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America. “What is Crohn’s Disease?.” CCFA.org 2012.National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. “Crohn’s Disease.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Dec 2011.
2 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Ungaro R, Mehandru S, Allen PB, Peyrin-biroulet L, Colombel JF.Ulcerative colitis.Lancet. 2017;389(10080):1756-1770. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32126-2Gajendran M, Loganathan P, Catinella AP, Hashash JG.A comprehensive review and update on Crohn’s disease.Dis Mon. 2018;64(2):20-57. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2017.07.001Additional ReadingAmerican Gastroenterological Association. “Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” Gastro.org Apr 2008.Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America. “What is Crohn’s Disease?.” CCFA.org 2012.National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. “Crohn’s Disease.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Dec 2011.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Ungaro R, Mehandru S, Allen PB, Peyrin-biroulet L, Colombel JF.Ulcerative colitis.Lancet. 2017;389(10080):1756-1770. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32126-2Gajendran M, Loganathan P, Catinella AP, Hashash JG.A comprehensive review and update on Crohn’s disease.Dis Mon. 2018;64(2):20-57. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2017.07.001
Ungaro R, Mehandru S, Allen PB, Peyrin-biroulet L, Colombel JF.Ulcerative colitis.Lancet. 2017;389(10080):1756-1770. doi:10.1016/S0140-6736(16)32126-2
Gajendran M, Loganathan P, Catinella AP, Hashash JG.A comprehensive review and update on Crohn’s disease.Dis Mon. 2018;64(2):20-57. doi:10.1016/j.disamonth.2017.07.001
American Gastroenterological Association. “Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” Gastro.org Apr 2008.Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America. “What is Crohn’s Disease?.” CCFA.org 2012.National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. “Crohn’s Disease.” National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) Dec 2011.
American Gastroenterological Association. “Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” Gastro.org Apr 2008.
Crohns and Colitis Foundation of America. “What is Crohn’s Disease?.” CCFA.org 2012.
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