The GI tract

The gastrointestinal (GI) tract includes:

• Mouth.

• The esophagus.

• Stomach.

• Small intestine.

• Colon (colon).

• Rectum.

• Anus.

The food you eat is digested as it passes through the gastrointestinal tract. Solid waste leaves the body through the rectum and anus.

Rectal bleeding and GI problems

The cause of rectal bleeding can be found in any part of the gastrointestinal tract. The colon or rectum may be the site of your bleeding problem. Or bleeding may be due to problems further up the gastrointestinal tract, such as in the small intestine, duodenum or stomach.

Causes of rectal bleeding

Possible causes include:

• Swollen veins in the rectum and anus (hemorrhoids).

• Tears in or near the anus (fissures).

• Pockets in the colon wall that may bleed (diverticulosis).

• Infection.

• Low blood flow (ischemia).

• Radiation damage.

• Inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis).

• Ulcers in the upper gastrointestinal tract and inflammation of the colon.

• Abnormal tissue growth (cancerous tumors or polyps) in the gastrointestinal tract.

• A bulging rectum (rectal prolapse).

• Abnormal blood vessels in the small intestine or in the large intestine.

Common symptoms

Common symptoms are:

• Rectal pain, itching or tenderness.

• Abdominal pain, including pain in the upper abdomen near the stomach (epigastric pain).

• Small drops of blood, which are sometimes seen on the stool or toilet paper.

• The stool looks red, black or tarry.

Rectal bleeding can also happen without pain.