Acute onset rectal bleeding & bloating

[tigerkc]

A couple days ago I had an acute onset of rectal bleeding with going to the restroom.  There was a moderate amount of blood, but it was ongoing in the day even with just bearing down, but not using the restroom.  Today there was a small amount in the stool in the am, but then not again in the day.  After eating in the evenings I have been experiencing a great amount of bloating and gas and some nausea.  This evening was worse with a lot of intestinal bowel sounds and a feeling of having to have a bowel movement, but felt constipated and some mucusy blood was in stool. Can you give me any ideas and if this is serious enough to see a GI doctor?  It has improved over last couple days.

[Morecambe]

Yes - you must get this checked out medically.  If the bleeding continues then you may become anaemic.  Unless the diagnosis is confirmed as one of the more minor causes (i.e. anal fissure or haemorrhoids etc) I suggest that you ask for a colonoscopy.  You don't say how old you are but the more sinister diseases that are accompanied by rectal bleeding tend to arise at age 40+ although there are rare instances when this happens in younger patients.

regards
Morecambe

[mammo]

It could be IBS, hemorrhoids, or a combination of both.  But either way it's well worth seeing a GI doctor to make sure all is okay.  Even though it has improved, it may come back.  Early diagnoses of anything is your best choice.