If you are experiencing rectal bleeding, your primary care physician will usually provide an initial assessment and may refer you to a gastroenterologist, which is a specialist who focuses on the health and illnesses that affect the gastrointestinal (GI) tract and digestive system. As such, gastroenterologists specialize in evaluating, diagnosing, and treating conditions that affect several different organs and bodily functions, including the esophagus, colon (large intestine), rectum, and anus. With that in mind, gastroenterologists are well-trained and skilled to provide accurate diagnoses and highly effective treatment for rectal bleeding.

If you are looking for a board-certified gastroenterologist in Oak Park, IL, to help with rectal bleeding, we welcome you to come to Diamond Gastroenterology! Dr. Ilysa Diamond, DO, is a board-certified gastroenterologist with over 15 years of experience in effectively diagnosing and treating various gastrointestinal disorders and issues, such as rectal bleeding and the conditions that contribute to it.

There are numerous conditions and symptoms that can lead to rectal bleeding, ranging from mild and temporary to chronic or severe conditions. That said, most cases of rectal bleeding are easily treated and not serious. With that in mind, some common symptoms that cause rectal bleeding include the following:

– Anemia: While anemia does not directly cause rectal bleeding, it is often associated with it, due to loss of blood. Anemia is a condition in which there is a hemoglobin deficiency in the blood, whereby the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to provide sufficient oxygen supply to the organs and tissues. When your body loses blood through rectal bleeding, it can lead to anemia.

– Change in bowel habits: changes in the frequency of bowel movements can lead to rectal bleeding, while changes in the appearance of the stool (darker looking, tarry appearance) can indicate the presence of rectal bleeding.

– Constipation: when an individual strains too hard during a bowel movement, typically due to constipation, rectal bleeding can occur as a result, as well as anal fissures and hemorrhoids. If your stool is very hard, it can sometimes cause the skin around the anus to tear, which can also cause rectal bleeding with constipation.

– Diarrhea: diarrhea can lead to hemorrhoids or anal fissures, which are tears in the lining of the anus, which can result in rectal bleeding.

While the sign of blood in your stool should not cause panic, it is a good idea to speak with your doctor whenever you experience rectal bleeding. That said, certain foods can also make your stool appear darker, such as beets, licorice, dark berries, and red gelatin. As such, it is also a good idea to consider anything you might have eaten recently that may contribute to the appearance of rectal bleeding.

Although most cases of rectal bleeding are not serious, they can indicate serious health conditions, such as colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). As such, you should contact your primary care physician or a gastroenterologist if you notice rectal bleeding to rule out any serious health condition. We serve patients from Oak Park IL, River Forest IL, Cicero IL, River Grove IL, Forest Park IL, Berwyn IL, Melrose Park IL, Elmwood Park IL, Chicago IL, La Grange IL, Broadview IL, and surrounding areas.