Abdominal Pain-Constipation

38 year-old male.  About a week ago, I experienced blood with a normal bowel movement...2X that morning.  That afternoon I went to my GP doctor who performed a rectal exam...no blood found.  He told me to watch things, it could be hemmoriods or an anal fissure.  The follwoing afternoon I experienced 2 more stools with blood.  Those two days I felt fatigued.  No other symptoms.  There has been no blood with my bowel movements since(5 days).  

About 2 days after seeing the doctor I started feeling constipated, fewer than normal bowel movements, and an ache or fullness feeling in my lower left abdomen area.  Fatigue has not been an issue.  

I have read it may be anything from hemmoroids (hemorrhoids), diverticulitis, proctitis to colorectal cancer.

No history of colon cancer in my family that I know of, but this is the one that worries me.

Should I be concerned with the current symptoms of constipation and lower left abdomen aches?  I worry about something like colorectal cancer and letting it go undetected and turing into something that could have been caught earlier.  Thanks.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Constipation can lead to blood in the stool, as well as the causes you mentioned above.  

I would consider a colonoscopy at this point.  This would be the most comprehensive evaluation of the lower digestive tract, and would rule out cancer or polyps.  A flexible sigmoidoscopy or an abdominal CT scan (to evaluate the LLQ pain) would be options as well.

This 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.
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