Hematochezia

Passage of blood through the rectum, indicating bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract or, less commonly, from an upper gastrointestinal source with rapid transit. The blood may appear bright red, maroon, or mixed with stool depending on the location and rate of bleeding.

Causes

• Anorectal causes

  • Hemorrhoids

  • Anal fissures

  • Rectal prolapse

  • Anal or rectal trauma

  • Rectal inflammation (proctitis)

• Colorectal causes

  • Diverticulosis

  • Colorectal cancer

  • Colorectal polyps

  • Inflammatory bowel disease: Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis

  • Infectious colitis

  • Ischemic colitis

  • Post-surgical bleeding

• Vascular causes

  • Angiodysplasia

  • Arteriovenous malformations

  • Radiation-induced vascular changes

• Medication and systemic causes

  • Anticoagulants

  • Antiplatelet medications

  • Coagulation disorders

  • Thrombocytopenia

• Upper gastrointestinal causes with rapid transit

  • Severe upper GI bleeding

  • Peptic ulcer disease

  • Esophageal varices