Irritable bowel can certainly be considered. There are other possibilities as well, including the hard stool you describe (which can irritate the rectum and lead to bleading. Other considerations would be inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhoids, or diverticulitis. Diseases like cancer or polyps would be less likely in someone your age.
If the symptoms continue, you can consider a flexible sigmoidoscopy for further evaluation.
These options can be discussed with your personal physician.
Followup with your personal physician is essential.
This answer is not intended as and does not substitute for medical advice - the information presented is for patient education only. Please see your personal physician for further evaluation of your individual case.
Kevin, M.D.
http://www.straightfromthedoc.com
hi had something similar but less frequent - occasional bleeding of bright fresh blood into the toilet - always occurred after hard large stools - i guess they did some damage on the way through - had it checked and i have some minor internal haemaroids - these were getting damaged and bled. Had a colonoscopy for peace of mind mainly (pushing 40 so good to us the insurance for a cecnt checkup). Anyway the best way to manage the situation is to be stingent on diet to avoid constipation and the damaging stools - drink more, eat more dietry fibre and Kiwifruit are excellent.
I also had recurring cosntipation and diarrhea - now I attribute that to food sensitivites to gluten and allergies to certain fruit - bananas and melons. Dietry change has sorted it all out for me.
good luck
Bethlynn, you are under a huge amount of stress. If the flare ups come after a particularly stressful event, then you may have your answer. If your bowel movements change often between diarreah, hard, to firm then you may have a digestion issue. Have you been on antibiotics lately or been out of the country. Yeast and parasites are often culprits in a bowel change, and parasites can cause some blood. If no, then I encourage you to try to relax using massage, writing in journal, or whatever it is that works for you. Women have a tendency to heap more and more on our shoulders.Just remember that you can't do it all and be all things to everybody. Take care of YOU!
I forgot to add, I am feeling great, energy level is good.
I think it's good that you are into holistic medicine. Often times the solution involves a lot more than (or an alternative to) drugs!
thank you for the reply. I find that this is putting more stress on me too. I have done reflexology and my holistic doctor has me on some other vitamins/herbs as well. No, I have not been out of the country, the doctor asked the same thing as well. Again, thank you for your kind words.