Bleeding Per Rectum Painful Defection
Rectal bleeding refers to any blood that passes from the anus (where stool, or poop, exits the body). It can show up in the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet, and can range from bright red to almost black. Kids can have rectal bleeding for different reasons, most of which are not serious.
Causes
Different things can cause rectal bleeding; these are some of the most common:
Anal fissures: These small tears are the most common cause of rectal bleeding in children. They can happen when passing a large or hard stool, which stretches the lining of the anus until it tears, or when frequent diarrhea irritates the lining. The tears can cause pain or itching in the area, especially during and after a bowel movement (BM).
Fissures are very common in babies, and usually heal completely with basic care. In older kids and teens, the cuts can take several weeks or longer to heal and sometimes tear open again. The three F's (fluids, fiber, and fitness) and, in some cases, stool softeners can help make BMs easier to pass. Keeping the area clean and applying ointments can relieve pain and speed healing.
Constipation: This is when someone has painful (hard, dry, and unusually large) or less frequent bowel movements (BMs). The three F's — fluids, fiber, and fitness — can help prevent and control most cases of constipation.
Hemorrhoids: A frequent complaint of pregnant women, but not common among kids, these are varicose veins in the anus or rectum. They may bleed, itch, or sting, especially during or after a bowel movement. Again, fluids, fiber, and fitness can help prevent constipation (a leading cause of hemorrhoids) and control many instances of hemorrhoids.
Polyps: These small growths of tissue in the lining of the rectum or colon may bleed during or after a bowel movement
