Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsTypes of ClotsPossible CausesWhen to See a ProviderRelated SymptomsTreatment
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Types of Clots
Possible Causes
When to See a Provider
Related Symptoms
Treatment
Blood clots in stool can have a number of possible causes, some of which are more serious than others. Though blood clots in stool are invariably the result ofgastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, the bleeding might be from the upper GI tract (including theesophagusandstomach) or the lower GI tract (including thecolonandrectum).
The possible causes can range from readily treated conditions like hemorrhoids and anal fissures to much more serious ones like ulcerative colitis and colon cancer, so it’s important to see a healthcare provider immediately.
This article explores the possible causes of blood clots in stool, including how different conditions cause different types of blood clots. It also explains how the conditions are treated and when it is time to see a healthcare provider.
Jeniffer Fontan/ Getty Images
Types of Blood Clots in Stool
A blood clot is a gel-like clump of blood, also known as athrombus. Blood clots can be beneficial as they stop bleeding from a cut or injury. But when clots are found in your stool, it is an indication of internal bleeding that may be mild or severe.
Blood clots from GI bleeding can vary in appearance, providing clues as to the underlying cause. Among the key differences:
What Causes Blood Clots in Stool?
There are several medical conditions that can cause blood clots in your stool. Although some of these conditions will resolve on their own without treatment, it is important to see a specialist known as agastroenterologistif the bleeding is severe or persistent.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoidsare swollen and inflamed veins in the anus and lower rectum.Hemorrhoids can result from straining during bowel movements or lifting heavy objects.
Hemorrhoids can develop internally (in the rectum) or externally (around the anus), causing pain and rectal bleeding. When wiping, spots or streaks of bright red blood may be seen on toilet paper or passing stools.
However, blood clots can develop if a hemorrhoid is thrombosed.Thrombosed hemorrhoidshappen when hemorrhoidal tissues get pushed outside of the anus and fill with blood clots. In severe cases,necrosis(tissue death) can occur, causing an open, oozing sore with darkened clots.
Anal Fissures
Upper GI Bleed
An upper gastrointestinal (GI) bleed is any internal bleeding from the esophagus, stomach, or first part of the small intestine (duodenum). There are many possible causes of an upper GI bleed, some of the most common of which include:
Gastroenteritis
With certain infectious causes of gastroenteritis, such asCampylobacterandShigella, severe lower GI bleeding may occur and require medical intervention to stem the bleeding.
Diverticular Disease
Diverticular diseaseis a medical condition that occurs when small pouches form in the colon and push outward through weak spots.Diverticulosiscan sometimes cause significant bleeding, producing blood clots that range from bright red to maroon in color.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD)
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)refers to two related but distinct inflammatory diseases of the colon:
Symptoms include abdominal pain, bloody diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and a constant urge to have a bowel movement. IBD can also cause mucusy stools with small red to maroon clots.
Peptic Ulcer Disease
Peptic ulcersare open sores in the lining of the stomach. They are commonly the result of anH. pyloriinfectionor the overuse ofnonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs). Symptoms include nausea, cramping, indigestion, and gnawing stomach pain. Bleeding can be profuse and cause dark or tarry stools and blood clots.
Ischemic Colitis
Colon Cancer
Colon cancercan cause dark or tarry stools when the disease is advanced. Most start as noncancerous polyps that can also bleed as they get larger.
The bleeding occurs when blood vessels quickly form to “feed” the growing tumor. As the tumor increases in size, the fragile vessels can burst, causing bloody stools, often with mucus and/or bright or dark red clots (depending on the location of the tumor).
10 Possible Causes of Bloody Stool
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Although many causes of GI bleeding do not cause significant loss of blood, it is possible to lose blood quickly if there is a large rupture (such as might occur with a severe peptic ulcer orbowel perforationdue to diverticulosis).
When Blood Clots in Stool Is an Emergency
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of blood clots in stools typically involves a review of your medical history and a physical exam. Based on the findings, other tests may be ordered, including:
Depending on the location of the GI bleeding, related symptoms might include:
What Can Be Mistaken for Blood Clots in Stool?Certain foods and medications can make it look like you have blood or blood clots in your stool, causingstool colorsranging from bright red to pitch black.Examples include:Activated charcoalBeetsBismuth (found in Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate)Black licoriceBlood sausageCranberriesIron supplementRed food coloring (such as in strawberry gelatin)Tomatoes
What Can Be Mistaken for Blood Clots in Stool?
Certain foods and medications can make it look like you have blood or blood clots in your stool, causingstool colorsranging from bright red to pitch black.Examples include:Activated charcoalBeetsBismuth (found in Pepto-Bismol and Kaopectate)Black licoriceBlood sausageCranberriesIron supplementRed food coloring (such as in strawberry gelatin)Tomatoes
Certain foods and medications can make it look like you have blood or blood clots in your stool, causingstool colorsranging from bright red to pitch black.
Examples include:
What Does Blood in Stool Mean?
Blood Clots in Stool Treatment
The treatment of blood clots in stools varies based on the cause. The primary aim is to treat the underlying condition, although some conditions may require specialist intervention to directly stop or treat the source of the bleeding.
ConditionTreatmentSpecialist InterventionsHemorrhoidsA high-fiber diet, stool softeners.sitz bathRubber band ligation,sclerotherapy,electrocauteryAnal fissureA high-fiber diet, stool softeners. topical anesthetics, high blood pressure medicationsBotox injection,sphincterotomy surgeryGastroenteritisAntibiotics, oral or intravenous (IV) rehydrationSclerotherapy, electrocautery for GI bleedingDiverticular diseaseA high-fiber diet,probiotics, antibioticsSclerotherapy, electrocautery, abscess drainageIBSAvoidance of IBS triggers, antidepressants, prescription IBS drugs likeLinzess (linaclotide)Generally not neededPeptic ulcerAntibiotics,proton pump inhibitors,bismuthSclerotherapy, electrocauteryIschemic colitisAntibiotics, IV fluids, avoidance of vasoconstrictor drugsColectomy surgeryColon cancerChemotherapy, radiation therapy,immunotherapy,targeted therapyColectomy surgerySummaryGI bleeding is a common symptom of many different medical conditions, including hemorrhoids, anal fissures, diverticular disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and more.Always tell your healthcare provider if you are experiencing new or unexplained blood in your stool. They can do blood tests, stool tests, a colonoscopy, or a CT scan to determine the cause. Treatments vary depending on the underlying issue.
Summary
GI bleeding is a common symptom of many different medical conditions, including hemorrhoids, anal fissures, diverticular disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and more.
Always tell your healthcare provider if you are experiencing new or unexplained blood in your stool. They can do blood tests, stool tests, a colonoscopy, or a CT scan to determine the cause. Treatments vary depending on the underlying issue.
8 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.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of GI bleeding.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition & facts of hemorrhoids.Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: presentation and management.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2016 Mar;29(1):22–29. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol.2014 Nov 15 5(4):467–478. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.467PMCID: PMC4231512PMID:25400991Diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding: A practical guide for cliniciansBong Sik Matthew Kim,Bob T Li,Alexander Engel,Da Cruz Gouvela MA, Lins MTC, da Silva GAP.Acute diarrhea with blood: diagnosis and drug treatment.J Pediatr (Rio J).2020 Mar-Apr;96(Suppl 1):20–28. doi:10.1016/j.jped.2019.08.006Sharma R, Attarha BO, Abadeer K, Ribeiro B.Massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage as a complication of severe Campylobacter enteritis.Cureus. 2022 Apr;14(4):e24239. doi:10.7759/cureus.24239National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diverticular disease.John Hopkins Medicine.Stool color guide.
8 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.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of GI bleeding.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition & facts of hemorrhoids.Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: presentation and management.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2016 Mar;29(1):22–29. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol.2014 Nov 15 5(4):467–478. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.467PMCID: PMC4231512PMID:25400991Diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding: A practical guide for cliniciansBong Sik Matthew Kim,Bob T Li,Alexander Engel,Da Cruz Gouvela MA, Lins MTC, da Silva GAP.Acute diarrhea with blood: diagnosis and drug treatment.J Pediatr (Rio J).2020 Mar-Apr;96(Suppl 1):20–28. doi:10.1016/j.jped.2019.08.006Sharma R, Attarha BO, Abadeer K, Ribeiro B.Massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage as a complication of severe Campylobacter enteritis.Cureus. 2022 Apr;14(4):e24239. doi:10.7759/cureus.24239National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diverticular disease.John Hopkins Medicine.Stool color guide.
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.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of GI bleeding.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition & facts of hemorrhoids.Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: presentation and management.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2016 Mar;29(1):22–29. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol.2014 Nov 15 5(4):467–478. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.467PMCID: PMC4231512PMID:25400991Diagnosis of gastrointestinal bleeding: A practical guide for cliniciansBong Sik Matthew Kim,Bob T Li,Alexander Engel,Da Cruz Gouvela MA, Lins MTC, da Silva GAP.Acute diarrhea with blood: diagnosis and drug treatment.J Pediatr (Rio J).2020 Mar-Apr;96(Suppl 1):20–28. doi:10.1016/j.jped.2019.08.006Sharma R, Attarha BO, Abadeer K, Ribeiro B.Massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage as a complication of severe Campylobacter enteritis.Cureus. 2022 Apr;14(4):e24239. doi:10.7759/cureus.24239National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diverticular disease.John Hopkins Medicine.Stool color guide.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Symptoms & causes of GI bleeding.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease.Definition & facts of hemorrhoids.
Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: presentation and management.Clin Colon Rectal Surg.2016 Mar;29(1):22–29. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144
World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol.2014 Nov 15 5(4):467–478. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i4.467
PMCID: PMC4231512
PMID:25400991
Bong Sik Matthew Kim,Bob T Li,Alexander Engel,
Da Cruz Gouvela MA, Lins MTC, da Silva GAP.Acute diarrhea with blood: diagnosis and drug treatment.J Pediatr (Rio J).2020 Mar-Apr;96(Suppl 1):20–28. doi:10.1016/j.jped.2019.08.006
Sharma R, Attarha BO, Abadeer K, Ribeiro B.Massive lower gastrointestinal hemorrhage as a complication of severe Campylobacter enteritis.Cureus. 2022 Apr;14(4):e24239. doi:10.7759/cureus.24239
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Diverticular disease.
John Hopkins Medicine.Stool color guide.
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