You should worry about blood in your stool and seek medical advice or attention if any of the following apply:
- Blood in your stool lasts for more than 3 weeks.
- You experience heavy bleeding or large amounts of blood.
- You have significant pain in your bottom or abdomen.
- Your stool changes in consistency (softer, thinner, or longer) for 3 weeks or more.
- You notice blood clots in your stool or toilet.
- You experience associated symptoms like fever, chills, weakness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, unexplained weight loss, abdominal pain, or fatigue.
- The blood is black and tarry, indicating bleeding possibly from the upper gastrointestinal tract.
- You have a personal or family history of gastrointestinal disorders or cancer.
- You feel lightheaded, have chest pain, shortness of breath, or other serious symptoms along with bleeding.
While blood in the stool is often caused by less serious conditions like hemorrhoids or constipation, it can also signal more serious issues such as inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer. Therefore, persistent, heavy, or symptomatic bleeding always warrants a prompt medical evaluation for accurate diagnosis and treatment.
