Hi Everyone, I'm new here and I've found these boards very helpful. I've always had BM's problems since being a kid and I have hemmaroids. In recent years due to me eating more fibre and oatmeal my BMs have improved with more regularity. I'm 49.

My question is: How does one know if they have blood IN the stool as opposed to it being from hemmaroids? Short of me taking a stool out and breaking it apart (YUCK) to see if there is blood in the stool how would one know? Would the water turn red when the stool hits the water? Tonight I had a very loose bowel movement, light colored and on one barely formed stool there was a teeny teeny spot of blood. It was so small I barely saw it. There wasn't any blood in the water, and there asn't any when I wiped myself. So is this considered Blood in the stool? The last time I saw this happen was over a year ago, then too there was no blood when I wiped myself. That is why I was concerned it wasn't from a hemmaroid. I would really appreciate any answers you can give me.
Thanks!
Candace

Well in my opinion... go to your local doctor and ask him/her! It could be more (or it could be just haemoroids). I myself went in for haemoroids only to have my doc send me to a specialist where they perfromed a local investigation with a follow up colonscopy and Bang!! Bowel cancer.! Not trying to scare you, please dont think that, just its better to get these things checked..
Goodluck.
Maz

I have IBS my doc said if any bleeding or blood was in my stool it would be a deep red almost black color and it would be really noticeable I think it may just be hemmroids or just a little blood from using the bathroom Good Luck and keep us posted :bouncing:

Usually if its bright red its from hemms or a fissure. Dark blood is more serious. If your worried, get checked out.

i had bright red blood in my stools and it turned out to be ulcerative colitis. so don't just assume it's nothing serious. go get it checked out.

Blood in the stool is not always visible. What you should do is pick up a test kit. A fecal occult blood test detects blood in the stool by placing a small sample of stool on a chemically treated card, pad, or wipe - then a chemical developer solution is put on top of the sample. If the card, pad, or cloth turns blue, there is blood in the stool. You can usually get one from your doctor's office. If not, then Wal Mart or any Pharmacy should have one. It would be a great idea for you to be tested.

Thanks to everyone for your replies, I appreciate it. :) The blood wasn't dark red it was kind of light, and just slightly larger than the tip of a sewing needle. It was very hard to see, the only reason I did see it was because I had loose stools and they were light brown, so it showed on that. (Sorry to be so graphic)

I will see if it happens again.
Thanks again!

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moderator4

Candi was asking the very same question I just now came on here to ask, but I don't think anyone really answered what she and I are referring to - If there is blood IN the stool, do you actually see it IN the stool, or does it seep out into the water? Does blood in the stool do that, or does it 'stay put'?
Now I myself am not referring to dark blood from higher up that would turn stool black, I'm asking about blood that is true red from lower down that would be either in the stool or on it. I guess my question is, can blood in stool seep out of the stool and into the water, or doesn't it work that way?

Hi CB50,

I think someone did respond about if there is blood IN the stool, the water would turn red when the stool was in the water, but I can't find the post.

No, the water will not necessarily turn red if there is blood in the stool. (In fact, I have UC and while I often have blood, I've never seen the water turn red.)

If you're worried about blood in your stools, it's always best to talk to your doctor and not just rely on a forum for medical advice. My husband's grandmother died from colon cancer, and I know for a fact that she'd have spoken to her doctor if she could do it all over again, embarrassment or not.

just my 2 cents...

daisy