Question about Stools, blood/loose stool?

Question

For the past three months or so I have had 'looser' stools in the AM and PM before bed. I have tried to change my diet and figure out what is causing this, but I have no idea what it could be! I used to not really go but once every two days!
Also, this evening I went and I could have sworn I saw some bright red blood in the mix... so now I'm worried!
You know stuff online always has you thinking its cancer when you read things. I lead a stressful life, work full time (45+ hours a week, plus I go to school in the evenings 20 hours a week) and my workout routine and eating habits aren't the best, but its been two years since I've had this routine, why would my stools change in the last three months? Please help!!

I am 23 years old. It wasn't a lot of blood and I haven't really gone to the Dr. about it b/c I just figured the loose stool would go away.

Answer 1

It could be caused by a number of issues.

1. The on set of IBS
2. Anal sex and tearing of the skin
3. A hemorrhoid acting up
4. Benign polyps (growths) in the bowel
5. Duodenal ulcers
6. Mekel's diverticulum (a congenital pouch on the small intestine)
7. Colitis (an inflammation of the large intestine)
8. Diverticulosis (a condition where the wall of the large intestine develops "Mickey Mouse" ears.)

Having seen too many advanced colon cancers, I support a more aggressive approach in searching for the cancers at an earlier stage. If a person has a parent or sibling who has had a colon or rectal cancer, he should have a colonoscopy at age 50.

After the age of 30, if a person notices blood in the stool or on the paper, everything must be done to discover the source of the bleeding and to exclude a possible cancer. This means a colonoscopy for a complete evaluation.

At your next physical exam, ask your physician to check your colon carefully.

If you have noticed blood in your stools, call your doctor today.

Answer 2

Although I am no doctor I have researched those symptoms in depth because my mother was having the same problems and it got to the point where there was enough blood to make her think something really terrible is happening...

In any case I found out that the softer most frequent vowel movements have to deal not only with what you eat and drink, but also with your emotional routine and life schedule as well as hormonal changes that we women always go through. I think that in order for you to really narrow it down you need to start keeping a journal of what you eat, when you eat, how much or little are you resting and how stable is your emotional health.

I know you're schedule is very fast phase, but unless you want to take the time to go to the doctor and have him or her run a variety ox exams and diagnose you this is the best way to narrow down the cause of your problems.

So here it goes:

1. Take note of your daily fiber intake
2. If you are taking vitamins and/or prescribed medication try to investigate the possible side effects.
3. Keep count of the amount of water you drink
4. Also keep record of your cycle to try to determine whether or not that can be a cause.

Also check for possible food allergies (especially lactose intolerance which can cause the softer stools). And check for hemorrhoids which are ruptures in the rectum and small intestine that can cause you to bleed. Or maybe even a vein could be ruptured or it could be one of the many symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS

If after you take all of these steps you are still experiencing the same problems, then I will advise you to have your doctor refer you to a gastroenterologist and have him perform a Colonoscopy and an Endoscopy to rule out the possibilities of any life threatening illnesses.

I hope this helps......and by the way, My Mom just had both the Colonoscopy and Endoscopy done like two days ago and it was determined that she just has a bad case of Hemorrhoids along with Gastritis and intolerance to Lactose.

Good luck and I hope you get better soon

Answer 3

Your diet and activity may be the cause. You are probably eating alot of junkier foods than usual due to your hectic schedule. As for the blood, as a 1 time deal, mixed in, you could have something as simple hemorrhoid. They can be on the inside where you don't feel them but they can be there. I'd just keep my eye on the blood since bright red is an indication of blood a it exits the body. The higher up the blood,the darker the stool. Black, tarry like stool is common in stomach ulcers. so just watch this one for a day or two and if it cont. get it checked out. No need to run to the ER unless it' a large amt, Turning the toilet red.Good luck but when in doubt, go.

Answer 4

Because of what you said. 65+ hours a week of work and school, lousy eating habits AND stress. All this can throw a wrench into the body's own desirable timetable. This, in turn, can affect us with upset stomach, nausea, and stomach acid that's out of kilter.
You may have irritable bowel syndrome because of this and it can cause the symptoms you speak of. Maybe you have a stomach ulcer. If it is an ulcer, it's more likely to be peptic and that in itself can cause the issues you describe.
Whatever the reason, you need to go to the doctor for tests. Yes, just the word 'cancer' is scary in itself, but isn't that all more reason to get tested?
It's a higher chance that you don't have 'the big C', and it sounds more like problems cause by high stress levels than anything else.
So go to then doctor a.s.a.p. ok?

God Bless and thanks for reading.

Answer 5

I think it would go fine with a blue/ brown color scheme because black goes with everything, but if u wanted to match more than u could go with a brown stool instead, so that way u are using less colors, and sticking to the two color scheme, also just so u know it posted your question under the health category, so the question is not where it should be, just thought u would like to know, hope your kitchen comes out beautiful :)

Answer 6

First Off it not unusual to have a small amount of blood in your stool. Yo did not mention your age, I would go and see your Doctor to be on the safe side, do not worry now do nt cross any Bridges till you have to.

Answer 7

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Answer 8

This is not a diet and fitness question but if there is blood it could be a sign of something serious go to the Dr.

Answer 9

If you have plenty bowl movements aday it could be from straining causing the inner line to bleed...make sure it wasnt sumthing red u ate!!

Answer 10

print this question & go to the dr with it soon