It’s a common question, one which is typically asked with alarm the first time, and irritation the next.

By far the most common reason for bleeding during defecation is hemorrhoids. These swollen blood vessels can become irritated and ruptured during straining or sitting, resulting in that fresh red toilet bowl so many people have come to know and dread.

But hemorrhoids aren’t the only possible source of bleeding, and in some cases they may be a distal cause whose origin requires further detective work:

Bleeding within the GI tract is itself not a disease, but rather a symptom of a disease. This bleeding may be divided into upper and lower GI bleeding. The upper GI tract consists of the oral cavity, esophagus, stomach, and the first part of the small intestine – the duodenum. . .

The most common conditions associated with lower GI bleeding include diverticulitis (diverticular disease), infections, polyps, inflammatory bowel disease, hemorrhoids, anal fissures and cancer.

My Los Angeles proctology center covers all of these issues, giving patients from around the world the very best care for infections, IBS, anal fissures and anal cancer.

If you have persistent bleeding and cannot identify an immediate culprit, it’s time to visit a hemorrhoid specialist in Los Angeles. Reach out to us here today.