aetiology
Last reviewed 01/2018
Possible causes include:
- haemorrhoids
- diverticular disease - from inflamed areas
- large bowel polyps or carcinoma
- angiodysplasia - a common cause in the elderly
Other causes:
- inflammatory bowel disease
- ulcers
- radiation proctitis
- ischaemic colitis
- trauma
- haematological abnormality - e.g. secondary to immunosuppressants or cytotoxics
- bleeding Meckels diverticulum
Always examine for an anal fissure, particularly if the rectal bleeding is associated with painful bowel motions.