Pooping blood clots confirms bleeding somewhere within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, where the blood has had time to coagulate before being expelled. While the sight of clotted blood can be alarming, the cause can range from minor issues to conditions requiring immediate medical intervention. Identifying the appearance of the clot and the potential source of the bleeding is a necessary first step. This symptom always requires a prompt consultation with a healthcare professional to determine the exact cause and appropriate treatment.
Identifying Clotted Blood in Stool
Observing the color and texture of the blood clot provides initial clues about where the bleeding originates in the GI tract. A bright red clot typically indicates a source near the rectum or anus. This fresh appearance means the blood has not been exposed to digestive enzymes or had time to change color as it travels.
Clots that appear maroon, dark red, or sticky suggest the bleeding occurred higher up in the colon or small intestine. The longer transit time allows the hemoglobin in the blood to oxidize, leading to a darker shade. The clot itself is coagulated blood, formed when proteins like fibrin create a mesh to stop internal bleeding.
A dark, tarry, and foul-smelling stool, known as melena, usually points to bleeding higher up in the GI tract, like the stomach or duodenum. Recognizing the difference between a dark clot and melena helps narrow down the possible location of the hemorrhage.
Common Causes of Lower Gastrointestinal Clotting
The most frequent reasons for passing clotted blood relate to issues in the lower GI tract, where blood is more likely to remain bright red. Internal hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins inside the rectum, are a common source of bleeding that can clot. Straining during a bowel movement can cause these veins to rupture, releasing blood that pools and coagulates.
Anal fissures, which are small tears in the lining of the anus, also commonly lead to bright red blood or small clots. The passage of hard or large stool often causes these tears, resulting in visible bleeding and pain. Both are localized issues often managed with dietary changes and topical treatments.
Diverticulosis is a condition where small pouches, called diverticula, form in the wall of the colon. When a blood vessel near a diverticulum erodes, it can cause sudden, painless bleeding resulting in large blood clots. This is a frequent cause of lower GI bleeding, particularly in older individuals.
Less Common but Serious Causes
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), which includes Crohn’s disease and Ulcerative Colitis, causes chronic inflammation and ulceration of the intestinal lining. This irritation can lead to bleeding, often accompanied by mucus and dark red or maroon clots, particularly in Ulcerative Colitis which affects the large intestine.
Colorectal polyps are growths on the inner lining of the colon or rectum that can become irritated and bleed. While many polyps are benign, they can be a source of small blood clots. Because some polyps can progress into malignancy, any bleeding from this source requires prompt attention.
Colorectal cancer can cause bleeding as the tumor grows and invades the intestinal wall, leading to fragile blood vessels. The blood may be mixed into the stool and present as bright red or darker clots, depending on the tumor’s location. Unexplained bleeding or a persistent change in bowel habits should always prompt screening for malignancy.
Immediate Medical Action and Diagnosis
The presence of blood clots in the stool always necessitates a medical evaluation to identify the source and severity of the bleeding. Seek emergency medical attention immediately if the bleeding is heavy, continuous, or accompanied by signs of significant blood loss, such as fainting, severe abdominal pain, or a rapid heart rate. These symptoms indicate a life-threatening hemorrhage requiring urgent intervention.
A physician will conduct a physical examination and may order diagnostic tests to pinpoint the bleeding location. Blood tests check for anemia, a low red blood cell count resulting from chronic or severe blood loss. Stool tests can detect microscopic blood not visible to the naked eye.
Endoscopic procedures are used to visualize the inside of the GI tract. A colonoscopy involves inserting a flexible tube with a camera into the rectum to examine the entire colon and is the primary tool for finding the source of lower GI bleeding. A sigmoidoscopy may be performed to examine only the lower part of the colon.