Massive blood from the anus

There are many causes of rectal bleeding bleeding from your bottom. The severity can vary from mild bleeding common to a severe life-threatening bleeding uncommon. If the bleeding is heavy or if you have black stools faeces - older blood due to a bleed from high up in the gut - then see a doctor immediately or call an ambulance. However, rectal bleeding is usually a mild bleed.

Faeces poo is temporarily stored in the rectum and expelled from the body via the anus. An anal fissure is a tear or split in the lining of the anus anal mucosa. The symptoms and signs include pain when passing a bowel motion and bright red blood from the anus. The problem is common in children younger than one year, and affects around eight out of 10 babies.

Julie Wilkinson is a registered nurse and book author who has worked in both palliative care and critical care. Bright red or any type of blood in your stool is not normal. While it may be due to something as simple as straining to poop because of constipation, it can also be due to conditions such as hemorrhoids, a bowel infection, or even colon cancer. Blood in the stool—whether bright red or some other shade—should always be evaluated by a healthcare provider. Though it could be caused by a condition that isn't dangerous, it is always best to have them rule out more serious causes.

Back to Health to A-Z. A small amount of one-off bleeding from the bottom is not usually a serious problem. But a GP can check. They can arrange a phone call from a nurse or doctor if you need one.