Bloody diarrhea is often a consequence of intestinal infections, in which cases it is called dysentery, and can be caused by viruses, parasites and bacteria, and if left untreated, can lead to health consequences, such as malnutrition and dehydration, for example.
In most cases of bloody diarrhea, the body itself is capable of solving it, but it is important that the person stays hydrated, has a balanced diet and goes to the doctor so that the need to take medication can be checked.
Bloody diarrhea can also be a symptom of ulcerative colitis or bowel cancer. Therefore, whenever an increase in the number of bowel movements, softer stools and the presence of blood is observed, it is advisable to consult a general practitioner or gastroenterologist, to identify the possible cause and indicate the most appropriate treatment.
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This tool should only be used to try to identify the possible cause of bloody diarrhea. Therefore, it should not replace a consultation with a doctor, who is the professional responsible for confirming the diagnosis and recommending the most appropriate treatment.
7 main causes of bloody diarrhea
Bloody diarrhea can have several causes, the main ones being:
1. Rotavirus infection
Rotavirus infection is one of the main causes of gastroenteritis and, consequently, bloody diarrhea in babies and children under 5 years of age. This type of infection occurs mainly through the consumption of contaminated water and food and is characterized by liquid or loose bowel movements more than 4 times a day, which may contain a lot or little blood, mixed with a secretion similar to pus or phlegm, which is the mucus. Know how to recognize the symptoms of rotavirus.
What to do: You should take the child to the doctor as soon as possible, and if possible, take a dirty diaper or take photos of the stool so that the doctor can assess the color and amount of blood that may be there. Rotavirus infection can cause intense, very foul-smelling diarrhea and last up to 14 days.
During this period, the baby or child should be fed soups, purees and lean meats, but it is very important to always offer water, homemade serum or coconut water after an episode of diarrhea to avoid dehydration.
2. Infection by Escherichia coli
A Escherichia colior E.coli, is a bacteria naturally found in the gastrointestinal system and is also one of the main causes of gastroenteritis, especially in adults, causing, in addition to dysentery, intense abdominal pain. all the symptoms of E. coli infection.
What to do: To alleviate symptoms and avoid new attacks of gastroenteritis, it is recommended to have a balanced diet rich in probiotic foods or supplements, which are those whose function is to promote a healthy intestinal microbiota and, thus, prevent imbalance and the occurrence of diseases. In addition, the doctor may prescribe antibiotics to combat harmful bacteria in the intestine.
3. Infection by Shigella spp.
Another common cause of diarrhea with blood and mucus in adults is infection with bacteria of the genus Shigella spp. due to consumption of contaminated food or water. Symptoms of infection by Shigella spp., also called shigellosis, last 5 to 7 days and, in addition to dysentery, infected children may also have convulsions that stop when treatment is started.
What to do: In these cases, you should not take medications to stop diarrhea because they can worsen symptoms, as they prevent the bacteria from being eliminated naturally in the feces. Drinking plenty of fluids and consuming easily digestible foods is one of the forms of home treatment that is always recommended, in addition to being recommended by the doctor to use antibiotics, which should be indicated according to the sensitivity and resistance profile of the microorganism.
4. Inflammatory bowel disease
Inflammatory bowel diseases, such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, are characterized by chronic diarrhea that may have blood or mucus and severe abdominal pain, especially after eating. The cause of these diseases is not yet known, and they can appear at any age and symptoms appear in periods of crisis and remission throughout life.
What to do: Treatment for ulcerative colitis must include medicines to stop diarrhea and dietary supplements. In more serious cases, where the inflammation of the intestine is extensive and when it does not improve with treatment, it may sometimes be necessary to perform surgery to remove part of the intestine.
Furthermore, it is important to have guidance from a nutritionist so that the best foods are recommended to avoid new crises and also prevent nutritional deficiencies.
5. Intestinal worms
Infection with intestinal parasites can also cause bloody diarrhea in children or adults, especially when the parasite load is high. Bloody diarrhea due to parasite infection is more common in areas with poor hygiene and basic sanitation, which leads people to walk barefoot and eat with dirty hands and consume contaminated food, leading to the appearance of symptoms other than diarrhea, such as a swollen and painful belly and lack of appetite, for example.
What to do: If worms are suspected, the doctor may request fecal tests to investigate the presence of parasites and recommend the use of some medications that promote their elimination and help combat symptoms.
It is also important that the person improves hygiene habits and has an adequate diet rich in probiotics so that the intestinal microbiota can be reestablished and new infections can be avoided.
6. Side effect of medicine
Some medications, including antibiotics, can have diarrhea as a side effect, however this is more common when a person has acute diarrhea and takes antibiotics without medical advice, which favors the occurrence of bacterial resistance and the proliferation of harmful bacteria in the body.
What to do: If bloody diarrhea occurs due to the indiscriminate use of antibiotics, for example, it is recommended that the medication be suspended. If the doctor prescribed the medication, you should return for a consultation to find out which antibiotic you should take. Find out how to combat diarrhea caused by antibiotics
7. Bowel cancer
Bloody diarrhea that is not caused by any of the changes mentioned above may indicate the presence of a tumor in the intestine or very close to it, in the abdominal cavity. To make sure that it is cancer that is causing the presence of blood in the stool, several tests can be ordered, such as a colonoscopy.
What to do: Medical help should be sought as soon as possible to find out where the tumor is and what treatment is best, surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy may be recommended.
Other causes
Other serious causes of bloody diarrhea include intestinal obstruction, poisoning or severe abdominal trauma, requiring urgent medical attention as it is very intense and can be life-threatening.
Radiotherapy can also cause bloody diarrhea, which is a side effect when performed in the abdominal region. In this case, the doctor must be notified that you are experiencing this symptom to indicate a way to alleviate it, and the use of supplements is normally recommended to restore normal bacterial flora, and medicines to stop diarrhea.
When to go to the doctor
Bloody diarrhea is not always a serious change, especially when it is an isolated episode, or when it happens in a person who has hemorrhoids, but has been through a period of constipation. However, it is recommended to seek medical help if you experience:
- More than 3 episodes of diarrhea in one day or in the same week;
- Fever above 38.5ºC or chills;
- Vomit with blood or very dark;
- Severe pain in the stomach;
- Fainting;
- Difficulty breathing;
- Abdomen hard, unable to press;
- If you have a weakened immune system, due to AIDS or cancer.
Bloody diarrhea can cause complications such as dehydration, iron deficiency anemia, changes in the kidneys or sepsis, which is a serious condition that can lead to death, and therefore diagnosis and treatment must be started quickly. Learn more about sepsis.
