Cause of Blood in Stool

Seeing blood in your or your child's stool may cause you to worry or call your doctor with concerns. The causes of blood in the stool depend on the amount and color of the blood as well as the type of stool it was found in. According to the Mayo Clinic and the National Library of Medicine, the causes of blood in stool include digestive disorders and inflammation of the colon or rectum.

Types

• Problems in the upper part of your gastrointestinal tract (esophagus, stomach) can cause dark or tarry looking stools, while injuries or disorders of your lower gastrointestinal tract (intestines, rectum) result in bright red blood.

Constipation

• If you are pregnant, or if you strain during a bowel movement, constipation may be the cause of blood in your stool. Constipation may also result if your diet is low in fiber or you do not drink enough water.

Vascular Disorders

• A tear or blockage in the veins to your esophagus or stomach can cause bleeding into your digestive tract that gets passed into your stool and appears dark or tarry.

Inflammation

• Inflammation caused by acid reflux in your esophagus or stomach as well as inflammatory diseases such as Crohn's disease or Irritable Bowel Syndrome may result in blood in your stool.

Swelling

• Swelling of small pouches of your intestines, which is called diverticulitis, or swelling around the opening of your rectum (hemorrhoids) may cause your stool to have bright red blood.

Obstructions

• Blood in your stool may be the result of obstructions in your digestive system, such as polyps in your colon or tumors in your stomach, colon or rectum.