Introduction
Nigerian physicians are sounding the alarm: seeing blood in your stool is not a minor issue to ignore or treat with home remedies. While hemorrhoids are a common cause, persistent or recurrent bleeding can signal ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), or colorectal cancer. Early detection dramatically improves treatment outcomes.
What Blood in Stool Looks Like
- Bright red streaks (hematochezia) – fresh blood from lower digestive tract (e.g., rectum, anus).
- Dark, tarry stools (melena) – digested blood from upper GI tract (e.g., stomach, small intestine).
The appearance points doctors to the source of bleeding.
Common Causes in Nigeria
Cause Typical Features
Hemorrhoids (piles) Enlarged anorectal vessels; bright red blood on toilet paper or surface of stool; often painless.
Infections (dysentery) Bloody diarrhoea with mucus; fever; recent poor hygiene or contaminated food/water (Shigella, Salmonella, Campylobacter, Entamoeba histolytica).
Diverticulosis Small colonic pouches (diverticula) that can bleed silently.
Anal fissures Small tear from hard stool; sharp pain during defecation; bright red blood.
Arteriovenous malformations / angiodysplasia Abnormal vessels in colon lining; can cause intermittent bleeding.
Medications Anticoagulants, antiplatelets (e.g., for hypertension, heart disease) may precipitate bleeding.
Colorectal cancer Often occult blood; may coexist with weight loss, altered bowel habits, fatigue.
Red‑Flag Symptoms That Demand Immediate Care
- Persistent or recurrent bleeding (more than a week).
- Associated diarrhoea, fever, abdominal pain.
- Constipation or hard stools alternating with diarrhoea.
- Unexplained weight loss or chronic fatigue (possible anemia).
- Family history of colorectal cancer or GI cancers.
- Significant change in bowel pattern from personal baseline.
Why Early Diagnosis Matters
- Hemorrhoids are usually benign and treatable with diet, hydration, or minor procedures.
- Infections need stool culture and targeted antibiotics.
- Colorectal cancer survival drops sharply with delayed diagnosis; screening (colonoscopy, FIT) can catch it pre‑symptomatic.
“Early diagnosis remains key to better outcomes, especially in preventing life‑threatening conditions like colorectal cancer,” says Dr. Olumuyiwa Bojuwoye, Consultant Gastroenterologist and Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Ilorin.
Expert Advice
- Do not self‑diagnose or rely solely on home remedies.
- Seek medical evaluation promptly once blood is noticed.
- Pay attention to accompanying signs (weight loss, pain, fatigue, bowel habit changes).
- Family history of GI cancers elevates risk—screening is advisable even without symptoms.
- Children can also have IBD or infections; any rectal bleeding warrants pediatric assessment.
Professor Tanimola Akande (Public Health) adds, “Hemorrhoid is not the only cause of blood in the stool… Constipation is also common in people with colon cancer, in addition to blood in the stool. Screening before symptoms appear is ideal.”
Take‑Home Message
Blood in stool is a potential early warning sign. While many cases stem from benign conditions, the possibility of serious disease is real. Prompt medical consultation, thorough history taking, and appropriate investigations (stool tests, colonoscopy) are essential to rule out dangerous pathologies and start timely treatment.t
