1. Hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids are swollen and enlarged veins in the rectum or anus. They can cause painless rectal bleeding, and the blood is usually bright red and seen on toilet paper or mixed with stool.
2. Anal Fissures: Anal fissures are small cracks or tears in the skin of the anus. They commonly occur due to constipation or hard stools and can cause bright red blood on the surface of the stool or on toilet paper.
3. Diverticular Disease: Diverticular disease occurs when small pouches (diverticula) form in the colon. If one of these pouches becomes inflamed or infected (diverticulitis), it can cause bleeding. The blood is usually dark red or maroon in color.
4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): IBD is a group of conditions that cause inflammation in the digestive tract, including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis. Severe inflammation can lead to bleeding, which can be bloody diarrhea or bright red blood mixed with stool.
5. Colorectal Cancer: Blood in the stool is a potential symptom of colorectal cancer, especially if the blood is dark red or maroon in color and mixed with stool. Other symptoms include a change in bowel habits, abdominal pain, and unexplained weight loss.
6. Peptic Ulcers: Peptic ulcers are sores in the lining of the stomach or upper part of the small intestine (duodenum). Bleeding from peptic ulcers is usually dark red or black and can appear in the stool as tarry or coffee-ground-like stool.
7. Bacterial Infections: Certain types of bacterial infections of the digestive tract, such as Shigella, Salmonella, or E. coli, can causebloody diarrhea.
8. Parasitic Infections: Intestinal parasites like hookworms, roundworms, or whipworms can also lead to blood in the stool.
9. Angiodysplasia: This condition involves abnormal blood vessels in the colon that can bleed easily, leading to blood in the stool.
10. Trauma: Injury or trauma to the anus, rectum, or colon can cause bleeding, which may appear in the stool.
It's essential to consult a healthcare professional if you notice blood in your feces, especially if it's persistent or accompanied by other symptoms. The exact cause can be determined through a proper evaluation, which may include a physical exam, stool analysis, colonoscopy, or other diagnostic tests.