How Do I Know If I'm Pooping Blood? Detecting Blood In Stool

Uh oh. You just used the bathroom and noticed something unusual in the toilet bowl – is that blood in your poop?

That sight is enough to make anyone feel a little panicked. But take a deep breath, don’t flush just yet. Figuring out if you’re actually pooping blood is important to get to the bottom of what’s going on.

Blood in stool can seem shocking but it happens more often than you might think. The key is knowing how to tell if it’s really blood you’re seeing. Traces of bright red blood could just be from a hemorrhoid or scratch in the rectum. But darker, tarry stools may indicate more serious bleeding in the upper digestive tract that needs medical attention.

Either way, you probably have some questions racing through your mind right now…Is this a major problem? What’s causing this? And what should I do next?

Let’s walk through the possible reasons you might be pooping blood, and how to handle it. With the right information, you can assess the cause and take steps to treat it if needed. Here’s what to look for to determine if you are truly passing blood, and when to seek help STAT if you are…

Bright Red Blood – Lower GI Bleeding

Spotting small streaks of bright red blood in or on your poop likely signals minor bleeding from the rectum or other lower parts of the digestive tract.

This type can come from:

Hemorrhoids – Swollen veins in the anus are prone to irritation and cracks that can drip red blood, especially with strained bowel movements.
Anal fissures – Small tears or split skin around the anus often weep drops of vivid red blood.
Irritable bowel diseases – Conditions like ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease can cause inflammation that erodes tissues.
Vigorous wiping – Aggressive scrubbing with toilet paper can scrape the delicate anus and rectum to release red blood.
Recent colonoscopy – A medical scope maneuvering in the rectum and colon may have caused minor abrasions.

Bright red spots are most likely from a harmless source very low in the lower intestines. Still mention it at your next doctor’s visit, however.

Dark Red or Maroon Stool – Upper GI Bleeding

Poop that’s a deep burgundy or maroon shade typically indicates bleeding higher up in the digestive tract.

Potential sources include:

Ulcers – Lesions in the stomach or small intestine slowly ooze blood that darkens as it travels through the gut.
Diverticula – Small pouches bulging from the intestinal walls can become inflamed and bleed.
Gastritis – Irritation and ulcers in the stomach lining may spew traces of blood.
Cancers – Tumors in the GI tract erode tissue and leak blood, like colon cancer.
Medications – NSAIDs or blood thinners make it easier for internal tissues to bleed.

Dark red stool necessitates prompt medical care to identify and treat the internal bleeding source, which can be serious.

Black or Tarry Stool – Upper GI Bleeding

Another sign of bleeding high up in the upper GI tract is black or tarry poop. It may have a foul, metallic odor too.

What makes it so dark? As blood travels slowly through the upper intestines, digestive chemicals gradually turn the red hemoglobin from blood almost black.

Potential sources of major upper GI bleeding include:

Peptic ulcers – Irritated lesions in the stomach or duodenum often cause tarry stools.
Gastric cancer – Tumors that erode the stomach lining can lead to extensive bleeding.
Esophageal varices – Bulging blood vessels in the esophagus may burst and release blackish blood.
Medication effects – Anticoagulants or NSAIDs increase bleeding risks.

Pitch black stool or bloody vomit signals a medical emergency – go to urgent care or call 911 immediately!

Reddish Brown Stool – Minor Bleeding

You may also pass reddish brown stool, almost like muddy or rusty colored poop. This can indicate:

Mild hemorrhoid irritation – Straining to poop can rupture hemorrhoid walls slightly.
Minimal rectal bleeding – Passing hard stool may tear the rectal lining just a bit.
** Slow upper GI bleeding** – A very low amount of blood from the stomach may tint poop.
Intestinal irritation – Inflamed areas in the colon may seep traces of blood.

Unless it’s recurrent or you have severe symptoms, reddish brown stool is likely minor. But do mention it to your physician at your next visit.

Bright Red Blood on Toilet Paper – Anorectal Source

After wiping, you may notice bright red blood streaks on the toilet paper itself. This typically signals fresh blood from:

Hemorrhoids – They swell with straining and may bleed when irritated.
Anal fissures – Tears around the anus are a common spot for crimson smudges.
Rectal irritation – Passing hard or large stools can scrape and abrade tissues.
Vigorous wiping – Too much scrubbing or wet wipes can disrupt delicate rectal skin.

Unless chronic or heavy, spotting on toilet paper is likely a benign issue like a hemorrhoid flare. Avoid vigorous wiping and mention at next doctor visit.

Bright Red In Toilet Bowl – Lower GI Tract

If you see pure blood diffused through the toilet bowl water, it’s likely fresh bleeding from the rectum, anus, or nearby colon.

Causes can include:

Hemorrhoids – They protrude into the toilet water and may drip blood.
Anal tears – Clefts around the anus come into contact with the bowl water.
Diverticula – These small pouches in the colon may become inflamed and bleed.
Ulcerative colitis – This chronic condition inflames and erodes the colon lining.

Unless heavy bleeding, red swirls in the bowl are likely from a lower GI source like hemorrhoids. But let your doctor know in case evaluation is needed.

Blood Clots in Stool – Rapid Upper GI Bleeding

Finding big clots of blood in poop or in the toilet points to rapid bleeding in the upper GI tract.

When blood pools in the stomach and intestines, it can congeal into gelatinous dark maroon clots before passing.

Possible causes include:

Peptic ulcers – Deep lesions in the stomach bleed heavily when eroded.
Gastric cancer – Large tumors can disruption blood vessels.
Colon polyps – Some precancerous polyps may rupture from growth.
Diverticulitis – Infection of bulging pouches in the colon provokes bleeding.

Passing sizable bloody clots necessitates prompt medical help to stop dangerous internal bleeding above.

Mucus and Blood – GI Inflammation

You may pass reddish or brown stool mixed with mucus. This often signals:

Ulcerative colitis – Chronic intestinal inflammation generates bleeding and mucus.
Crohn’s disease – This inflammatory bowel disease causes colon irritation.
Diverticulitis – Inflamed intestinal outpounches can weep blood and mucus.
Intestinal infection – Bacteria or viruses disrupting the GI lining provoke oozing.

The combo of mucus and blood indicates disrupted, inflamed intestines. See a doctor to determine the cause and proper treatment.

When to Seek Emergency Care for Bloody Stool

While minor bleeding may not require immediate care, you should seek ER evaluation for:

Pouring bright red blood
Gushing maroon or black tarry stool
Passing large blood clots
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or rapid heart rate
Fever, severe pain, nausea and vomiting
History of bleeding disorders or use of blood thinners

Severe upper GI bleeding can rapidly lead to dangerous anemia, low blood pressure, and even shock, so prompt help is vital.

When to Visit Your Doctor for Bloody Stool

Less severe but still concerning cases warrant making a doctor’s appointment within a day or two if you have:

Recurrent bright red blood coating or mixed in your stool
Frequent anal itching or painful bowel movements
Persistent dark or black stool
Diarrhea or constipation alongside bleeding
Unexplained weight loss
Family history of colon polyps or colon cancer
Already diagnosed with a digestive condition like IBD

Bloody stools never equal “normal” and your doctor can help uncover the cause and appropriate treatment.

Take Home Tips

Hopefully this breakdown gives you more confidence in detecting bloody poop. To recap:

Assess stool color – Bright red suggests lower GI tract, while very dark points to upper.
Note consistency – Clots and mucus make bleeding more concerning.
Judge amount – Traces are likely minor, but heavy bleeding needs rapid care.
Consider other symptoms – Fever, vomiting, weakness signal significant blood loss.
See your MD – They can diagnose the source and suggest treatment options.

Don’t panic if you see a little crimson, but do consult your doctor, especially if bleeding is heavy or recurrent. With the right diagnostic tests, they can determine where it’s coming from and how to stop it.

You’ve got this – now go get to the bottom of that bottom bleeding!