Gas, thin stools, and blood

I was diagnosed with an external hemorrhoid last year, with the typical bright red blood streaking/spotting. For over a month now I have been having excessive, smelly gas/bloating, and blood and mucos clots when I go to the bathroom. Also my bowel movements are very soft and thin (ribbon-like). Sometimes when I go to the bathroom just mucos comes out. I usually have a bowel movement every day, but sometimes experience some constipation and sometimes diarrhea. I had a sigmoidoscopy done last week. The doctor was only able to get about 10 cm in. He said there was irritation and surface bleeding. He told me if the bleeding does not stop in a month he would send me to a specialist. I am not sure I should wait a month. He could not explain my other symptoms (gas, thin stools, mucos). My mother has Chrone's Disease, but I have not had any pain/fever, etc. I would appreciate any suggestions.
Thank you.

[Kevin Pho, MD]

Hello - thanks for asking your question.

There are several considerations.  One would be inflammatory bowel disease (either Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis).  This can definitely present with a change in bowel habits, and blood in the stool.  Irritation and an inflammed colon wall would also be suggestive.  A colonoscopy with proper biopsies should be considered to diagnose this.

Another consideration would be malabsorption.  Again, a change in bowel habits combined with bloating, and mucous-like stools is suggestive of this disorder.  Stool samples including tests for quantitative fecal fat is usually performed to evaluate this.

If those tests are negative, a less likely diagnosis would be irritable bowel syndrome.  This disease typically presents in an alternating diarrhea-constipation pattern.  

I would suggest a referral to a gastroenterologist.  A colonoscopy would be a reasonable next step.  

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.

Thanks,
Kevin, M.D.

[kona0913]

Also, I have had no weight loss and I am 29 yrs. old

[surgeon]

what you describe is almost certainly not due to hemorrhoids, even at the beginning symptoms. It needs a more definite diagnosis. Seeing a gastroenterologist is the next logical step.

[painer]

Have similar problems and every test I can think of(think it's IBS).What all conditions other than cancer can cause thin stools and how do they cause them.

[aka_strat]

I have exactly the same problem.  Had a colonoscopy with no significant abnormalities.  Any diagnosis, treatment or resolution to your problem?  You are about a month ahead of me - any advice would be greatly appreciated!

[danny73]

I also have the same problem; lately alot of gas, and the mucas and blood have been there for about two years now; i have had the first test endoscopy ?? and no polps were found; was told it was probably a rectal tear, yet was not absolute on that;  everything looks good, but no reason has been given other than a change of diet amoungst other "self torturing" things i had to do.  ie suppliments, suppositories...

i'm now seeing the third doctor, a "surgon in gastroenterology."  will see what he finds....

[jmbirds]

A related discussion, IBS dx and more was started.