17 yr old male with small amount of blood and mucus in stool?

[Arl0821]

I'm 17 years old and I recently found a small amount of blood and mucus in my stool. For about a half a year I have been having alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhea but I had always attributed it to my diet. My sister got crohn's when she was about my age and both of my grandfathers had similar diseases (ulcerative colitis with one crohn's with the other). There really wasn't much blood in the stool but I was concerned. Should I wait to see if it persists before seeing a doctor?

[MrT123]

Yes, I would go check it out - especially with a family history of irritable bowel disease. You also want to make sure there's not super serious going on as well that needs more aggressive therapy. I definitely diet affects digestion so while you figure all this out, try keeping a food/poop/pain/sleep/alcohol daily diary. Good luck.

[Arl0821]

Thanks for the advice; I will make sure to do so.

[maskabronakbonita]

U should go and see a doctors because its very possible u can have crohns. Idk if its a genetic thing but my mother has colitis and i recently found out i do aswell but i havent had and blood in stools i went to er for abdominal pain and swelling on right side of my stomach i usually get super hungry and take a bite or two and feel full ive lost so much weight because of it...but good luck n see a doc asap