Lower intestinal bleeding

Need to know

• Symptoms of lower intestinal bleeding icon plus

  Symptoms of LGIB might include:
  

  • Maroon coloured faeces. This may result from bleeding on the right side of the colon
  • Passing bright red blood through the anus. This can be from bleeding on the left side of the colon
  • Dark coloured faeces with bleeding in the cecal (pouch at the beginning of the large intestine)

  
  It is also possible for LGIB to originate from the digestive conditions such as:
  

  • Inflammatory bowel disease
  • Diverticulosis
  • Haemorrhoids
  • Colon polyps
  • Peptic ulcers
  • Cancerous tumours

• Diagnosis icon plus

  Your consultant will discuss your symptoms with you and help to make a diagnosis. Tests we offer to diagnose LGIB include:
  

  • Colonoscopy. A long and thin tube with a camera is passed through your anus, showing video images of your colon and bowels
  • Radionuclide scans. A radionuclide chemical is injected into a vein. Diseased cells in the lower intestine are picked up by the chemical and release gamma rays to a gamma camera
  • Angiography. A contrast dye inserted into your artery detects bleeding vessels through an X-ray
  • Blood tests
  • Endoscopic ultrasound. An ultrasound probe attached to an endoscope examines tissues in your digestive tract

• Potential treatment options icon plus

  Your consultant will discuss your treatment options and help to determine the best approach for you. Treatment options might include:
  

  • Endoscopic thermal probes can burn blood vessels around the intestine. This helps stop bleeding ulcers. This is also possible by injecting special fluids or glue in this area
  • Endoscopic clips to close bleeding vessels
  • Special endoscopic bands to tie bleeding hemorrhoids and vessels
  • Angiographic embolization blocks blood vessels by inserting particles into them
  • In some cases, surgery may be required to remove part of your intestine. Your consultant will discuss this procedure in detail with you