I'm 19...is Rectal Bleeding Normal??

  I'm really scared....after every bowel movement I notice a small spot of blood on the toilet paper.  Nobody I know of in my family has ever had cancer, but I have read that this is one of the signs.  I'm really afraid that it might be, because I don't know what else it could possibly be.  Please tell me if I should be this concerned!!!  Again, nobody in my family has ever had cancer of any kind!!!  I must however, admit that i don't eat a very healthy diet.  (Almost no vegables of roughage, though since this started I've tried to eat more!)  What could this be?
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Dear Drew,
Ithink that this response may reduce your anxiety regarding your rectal bleeding.  There are many causes for rectal bleeding.  Some are trivial and do not require treatment, whereas others require medical or even surgical therapy.  Hemorrhoids are the most common cause of rectal bleeding.  Another possibility is a fissure, or a small tear in the anal canal which too can cause bright red blood from the rectum.  There are, however, several points that are important to know before we can write off your problem to hemorrhoids or fissures. Have you had any weight loss, fever, change in bowel pattern, nocturnal stool, urgency to defecate, or blood mixed with the stool?
Another consideration for your problem is inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), also known as Crohn's disease or Ulcerative colitis, which commonly presents in the younger patient population.  IBD is a chronic condition which can present as rectal bleeding, but more commonly presents with additional symptoms such as diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever, weight loss, fatigue, or joint pain.  The chances that your problem is from cancer are minuscule, but if your problem was as a result of IBD, then your risk for developing colon cancer would be increased.
Other possibilities for rectal bleeding are rectal polyps (tumor-like growths in the lining of the colon), rectal varicies (dilated veins like varicose veins--although rectal varicies are usually associated with cirrhosis of the liver), or trauma (from foreign bodies or anal intercourse).
In order to evaluate the cause of your rectal bleeding, my recommendation is to see your primary care doctor who can obtain a thorough history and perform a complete physical examination.  A flexible sigmoidoscopy is needed and possibly a barium enema or colonoscopy (depending on the details of your history),
This information is provided for educational purposes only.  Always consult your personal physician for specific medical issues.

HFHSM.D.-rf
*keywords: rectal bleeding, hemorrhoids, fissures
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