Lower Intestinal Bleeding Treatment in Fayetteville, GA
Bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract can be caused by a variety of different conditions. This symptom can be quite serious, and should be addressed immediately by a specialized physician such as Erin King-Mullins, MD, FACS, FASCRS if detected.
If you’re experiencing symptoms of lower intestinal bleeding in the Fayetteville area, contact Colorectal Wellness Center today to schedule an appointment with Dr. King-Mullins. Give us a call at (770) 325-2275 to get started.
Potential Causes
Your physician will require some additional testing or endoscopic procedures to obtain an official diagnosis of any internal bleeding that presents itself the stool. If this bleeding is in fact linked to the lower intestine, it will typically be caused by one of the following medical conditions:
- Diverticulosis: Instead of protruding outward into the colon like a polyp, these are pouches that form within the lower digestive tract. These pouches represent a weak area in colon wall.
- Diverticulitis: When the pouches caused by diverticulosis become inflamed they are then categorized as a separate condition called diverticulitis.
- Hemorrhoids: Swollen veins located at the end of the rectum/anus.
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): General inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract that can cause chronic widespread pain in addition to potential bleeding.
- Crohn’s disease: This is a subcategory of IBD that can present itself anywhere within an individual’s GI tract.
- Ulcerative colitis: Another subcategory of inflammatory bowel disease, ulcerative colitis refers to inflammation of the colon and rectum.
- Proctitis: This condition is inflammation of the lining of the rectum, which can often lead to lower intestinal bleeding. It can also be a source of pain
- Colon polyps: These small tissue growths form within the lining of the colon and can cause bleeding if torn. Typically large polyps are responsible for bleeding
- Tumors that may or may not be cancerous.
- Anal fissures: Tears in the lining of the anus.
Weighing Your Treatment Options
In order to determine a proper course of treatment, Dr. King-Mullins will first need to definitively diagnose the source to your lower intestinal bleeding.
It is always recommended for individuals to seek treatment if they begin to notice blood in their stool. Seeking emergent care is imperative if any of the following signs of shock are present:
- Sudden drop in blood pressure
- Feeling faint or even passing out
- A quickened pulse
To schedule a consultation at Colorectal Wellness Center to further discuss the possible causes to your lower intestinal bleeding, please call (770) 325-2275 today!