| Rectal bleeding | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Rectal hemorrhage, rectorrhagia |
Rectal bleeding refers to bleeding in the rectum, thus a form of lower gastrointestinal bleeding. There are many causes of rectal hemorrhage, including inflamed hemorrhoids (which are dilated vessels in the perianal fat pads), rectal varices, proctitis (of various causes), stercoral ulcers, and infections. Diagnosis is usually made by proctoscopy, which is an endoscopic test.[1]