Why does colitis cause bleeding

Bleeding can be part of an IBD flare and inflammation. It might mean you need a change in your medications. It may also be necessary to treat the loss of blood that has happened. If you have developed anemia from blood loss, you may need to supplement with iron, folic acid, or vitamin B12 , depending on what your health provider says. In serious cases of blood loss, a blood transfusion might be required. With severe bleeding, called hemorrhaging, you might need surgery to remove the colon and create an ileostomy, but this is rare.

An ileostomy, or stoma, is an opening on the abdomen connected to your digestive system to allow waste to be diverted out of your body. In patients with ulcerative colitis, after this initial surgery, another surgery can be done to create a J-pouch. A J-pouch is a short name for ileal pouch. In J-pouch surgeries, after the surgeon removes the colon, a pouch shaped like the letter J is created from the end of the small intestine and attached to the rectum.

This type of surgery is done to avoid needing a stoma. Colonoscopy is especially important if you have lost weight, are anemic, are older than 40, or have a family history of colorectal cancer. The treatment for rectal bleeding depends on the cause. Similarly, bleeding due to complications from IBD is managed by treating the complication.

For fissures , the first step is trying to let it heal on its own. If the fissure does not heal, medications and surgery are used. Anal fistulas also are treated with a combination of medication and surgery. By providing your email address, you are agreeing to our privacy policy. We never sell or share your email address. All rights reserved. Always consult your doctor about your medical conditions. Use of the site is conditional upon your acceptance of our terms of use.

Rectal Bleeding. By Editorial Team November 30, Share to Facebook Share to Twitter email print page Bookmark for later. Types of ulcerative colitis include:. See your doctor if you experience a persistent change in your bowel habits or if you have signs and symptoms such as:. Although ulcerative colitis usually isn't fatal, it's a serious disease that, in some cases, may cause life-threatening complications.

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You may opt-out of email communications at any time by clicking on the unsubscribe link in the e-mail. Your in-depth digestive health guide will be in your inbox shortly. You will also receive emails from Mayo Clinic on the latest health news, research, and care. The exact cause of ulcerative colitis remains unknown. Previously, diet and stress were suspected, but now doctors know that these factors may aggravate but don't cause ulcerative colitis.

One possible cause is an immune system malfunction. When your immune system tries to fight off an invading virus or bacterium, an abnormal immune response causes the immune system to attack the cells in the digestive tract, too. Heredity also seems to play a role in that ulcerative colitis is more common in people who have family members with the disease.

However, most people with ulcerative colitis don't have this family history. When inflammation destroys the cells lining your colon, sores or ulcers can develop. These ulcers can bleed and produce pus, resulting in bloody diarrhea.

Constipation typically occurs when inflammation is limited to the rectum. This is known as ulcerative proctitis.

Other symptoms related to ulcerative colitis include abdominal pain, painful bowel movements, fatigue, anemia, weight loss, and fever. Stopping inflammation is key to controlling bloody stools and other symptoms related to UC.

No inflammation means no ulcers, and as a result, bleeding stops. To help you achieve remission, your doctor may prescribe one or more medications. These include:. If your symptoms do not improve with these treatments, you may be a candidate for biologic therapy , which suppresses a part of the immune system. Your doctor may prescribe medication on a short-term basis or a long-term basis for maintenance therapy. Ask your doctor about taking an antidiarrheal medication.

Certain lifestyle changes and home remedies can also assist with controlling inflammation and healing your colon. Keep a food journal and log your meals.