Monday, October 23, 2017

What is Postprandial Somnolence?

I can't believe I ate the whole thing!" That's how it starts. How it ends: a nap on the couch, or at least a very unproductive afternoon. In everyday language, it's known as a food coma, carb coma, or the itis. In scientific terms, it's called postprandial somnolence ("postprandial" means after a meal, "somnolence" means drowsiness). But why does it happen?



Source

To understand the answer, it's important to know what happens in your digestive system when you eat. While you're chewing, your stomach produces the hormone gastrin, which triggers the production of the digestive juices that begin to break down your food. That food then moves into the small intestine as the gut releases the hormone enterogastrone, which regulates blood flow, among other things. Meanwhile, your pancreas releases insulin to promote the absorption of glucose from the carbohydrates in the meal. Insulin stimulates the transport of a variety of amino acids into the brain, including the infamous sleepy chemical known as tryptophan.

You might notice that food comas don't happen after every meal—just the indulgent ones. There are a few reasons for this: a meal high in carbohydrates triggers a larger spike in insulin, which makes more tryptophan enter your brain and turn first into seratonin, which makes you feel good, and then into melatonin, which makes you feel drowsy. Glucose from the carbs also appear to block brain cells called orexin neurons, which are responsible for keeping you awake and alert.

It should be mentioned, however, that tryptophan in food has a negligible effect when combined with all the other amino acids and hormones and macronutrients in a meal. Stop blaming the Thanksgiving turkey! It has less tryptophan than chicken, anyway. Plus, high-protein meals don't have the same sleepy effect, since protein tends to promote the release of more stimulating amino acids.

Food comas are sometimes unavoidable—nobody wants to watch their diet during a holiday feast—but if you want to reduce your chances of nodding off after dinner, there are a few ways to do so. Watch your portions and eat slowly so your body's hormones have time to balance out. Also, make sure you're eating a nutritious meal without too much starch or fat and with enough veggies and vitamins.

Wednesday, October 18, 2017

What is Polydipsia: Causes and Symptoms

Polydipsia is a medical name for the feeling of extreme thirstiness. Polydipsia is often linked to urinary conditions that cause you to urinate a lot. This can make your body feel a constant need to replace the fluids lost in urination. It can also be caused by physical processes that cause you to lose a lot of fluid. This can include sweating during exercise, eating a high-salt diet, or taking drugs that cause you to pass a lot of fluid, such as diuretics.


Source

Causes

Polydipsia can be caused simply by not drinking enough water after you lose a lot of fluid. If you sweat a lot or drink certain fluids, such as coffee or green and black tea, you’ll often feel extremely thirsty as your body seeks to replace the fluid that’s been lost. Dehydration due to not drinking enough water is also a common cause of polydipsia. You can feel this whether or not you’ve been sweating or urinating a lot. Polyuria, a condition in which you pass abnormally large amounts of urine, can also cause polydipsia.
Other recorded causes of polydipsia include:
  • certain medications, such as corticosteroids or diuretics in pill form, such as water pills
  • consuming a lot of salt or vitamin D in foods or drinks
  • boredom or anxiety that causes you to drink a lot of water due to nervousness, which has also been observed in horses and dogs
Symptoms

The most obvious symptom of polydipsia is a feeling of extreme thirstiness. This symptom is especially noticeable when you feel this way even after you’ve already drunk a lot of water.Other common symptoms of polydipsia include:
  • passing abnormally high amounts of urine (more than 5 liters a day)
  • a persistent feeling of dryness in your mouth
Drinking too much water can also lead to water intoxication, which is sometimes called water poisoning. This condition happens when you drink excessive amounts of water. Doing so can dilute the amount of sodium in your blood and lower your blood sodium to dangerously low levels, also called hyponatremia. This can cause symptoms such as:
  • headaches
  • feelings of dizziness or disorientation
  • muscle cramps or spasms
  • unexplained seizures

Plastic Surgery Complications

Appearance is an important aspect of modern life as both women and men want to look as good as they feel. To achieve this end, more than 13 million million cosmetic procedures were performed last year in the United States. The results are often dramatic and permanent, so it is important that the patient knows what to expect and that he or she chooses a surgeon certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery (ABPS). The American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) has prepared the following reference to assist primary care physicians and others to help counsel their patients who are considering cosmetic (or reconstructive) surgery.


It is a common misunderstanding that the word plastic in plastic surgery means artificial. Rather, the word originated from the ancient Greek word plastikos, which means to mold or give form. Plastic surgery is a surgical specialty involved with both the improvement in a person's appearance and the reconstruction of facial and body tissue defects due to illness, trauma, or birth disorders.

Plastic surgery restores and improves function, as well as appearance. It can involve surgery on any part of the anatomy, except the central nervous system, including, but not limited to, the following:
  • Skin (including skin cancer, scars, burns, birthmarks, and tattoo removal)
  • Maxillofacial (the facial skeleton)
  • Congenital anomalies (including deformed ears, cleft palate, and cleft lip)

Doctors who perform plastic surgery

It is important to select a doctor who is certified in plastic surgery by the American Board of Plastic Surgery. Generally, a surgeon who is board-certified in plastic surgery has graduated from an accredited medical school and has completed at least 5 years of graduate medical education--usually 3 years of general surgery and 2 years of plastic surgery. In addition, the surgeon must practice plastic surgery for 2 years and pass comprehensive written and oral exams to become board-certified. Board certification is renewed every 10 years to ensure ongoing competency in the specialty.

Cosmetic and Reconstructive Surgery: The Differences

Although the outward effects may be similar or even identical, the terms cosmetic and reconstructive surgery are not interchangeable. The plastic surgeon performs cosmetic surgery to reshape normal structures of the face or body in order to enhance the patient's appearance and self-esteem. Reconstructive surgery is performed to correct abnormalities of facial or body structures caused by congenital defects, developmental abnormalities, injuries, previous or concurrent surgeries, infection, tumors, or other disease. The purpose of reconstructive surgery is generally to improve function, but it may also be used to restore a normal appearance.

These distinctions have implications for insurance coverage. Nearly all insurance carriers cover reconstructive procedures for functional restoration but not those performed purely for cosmetic reasons. In general, the classification as cosmetic or reconstructive depends on the reason that the surgery is performed. For example, rhinoplasty to change the shape of the nose is considered cosmetic. However, rhinoplasty to restore the shape of the nose following traumatic deformity is reconstructive.

Corrective surgery to remove or minimize the effects of scarring usually provides cosmetic improvement. Insurance carriers, however, may recognize these procedures as reconstructive in nature because scars are abnormal formations that develop on the body as a result of injury or illness.
People with good self-images tend to function effectively in their work, feel secure in their relationships and interact positively with others. Self-image has other components, but one of the most important is appearance. Sometimes the correction of even a minor cosmetic defect can result in a major positive change, substantially increasing feelings of well-being and self-worth.

Many people hold jobs where appearance is important in the workplace, even if the person is not a public figure. In any job that involves interaction with others, people are apt to be judged­ to some degree ­by the way they look. Encounters are often fleeting, so first impressions count. At times of tenuous job security, people struggle to maintain whatever edge they can. For some, retaining a youthful and pleasing appearance may be their means of remaining competitive in a crowded marketplace.


Monday, October 16, 2017

What Causes Itchy Nipples: Causes and Symptoms

An itchy breast or nipple can seem like an embarrassing problem, but it happens to many people in their lifetime. There are several causes of an itchy breast or nipple, from skin irritation to rarer and more alarming causes, such as breast cancer.

Source

Causes
Atopic dermatitis is a common cause of an itchy breast or nipple. This type of dermatitis is also called eczema, which is an inflammation of the skin. While its cause is unknown, atopic dermatitis can cause dry skin, itching, and rash.Certain factors can worsen an itchy breast or nipple, including:
  • artificial fibers
  • cleaners
  • perfumes
  • soaps
  • wool fibers
Symptoms
An itchy breast or nipple causes the urge to scratch at your skin. The discomfort can range from mild to severe, and may be an occasional or constant urge. Scratching can cause the delicate skin to become red, swollen, cracked, or thickened. While scratching may temporarily relieve the urge, it can also damage the skin.

Treatment
Mastitis is treated with antibiotics. Make sure to take the full treatment course to prevent the infection from coming back. Other steps that can also help reduce mastitis symptoms include:
  • taking over-the-counter pain relievers
  • drinking plenty of fluids
  • resting
Paget disease and breast cancer are treated with a variety of approaches. These include:
  • surgical removal of all or a portion of the breast
  • chemotherapy
  • radiation

Saturday, October 14, 2017

How to Store Your Groceries

Storing fruits and vegetables is crucial to keeping them fresh. Lack of proper storage puts the   consumer at the risk of foodborne illness. This could be reduced by the correct handling, storing, and cooking of food. It is important to note all foods have a limited life, and with vegetables and fruits their life is even shorter. Things such as packaging and storing are the major contributors to how long the groceries stay fresh. When storing groceries, it is important to consider where to store, how to store, and the mode of storage will keep the vegetables and fruits fresh. The major areas of storing groceries are the counter and in the refrigerator.

The Counter

This storage is for vegetables and fruits that require a cool dry place. If well maintained,you could store groceries for up to two weeks.  The counter stores groceries that if kept in the fridge would turn mealy and in the process, lose most of their flavor.  These fruits and vegetables should be kept on the counter and stay fresh for the periods provided. Food put on the counter can be grouped according to the period they stay fresh.

How to store groceries on the counter

Fruits on the counter have to be well ventilated and air circulation must be ensured. Fruits that release a lot of ethylene gas should be separated to avoid over ripening of other fruits. Groceries should at all times be stored according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Some groceries come with special instructions instructing to refrigerate only after opening or giving a specified period of consumption. These instructions all should be adhered to strictly. Observing the provided storage areas and the period the intended vegetable or fruit is to be fresh then wastage shall be reduced helping save more money. This also avoids the consumption of food that is poisoned with bacteria. Bacteria develops in vegetables and fruits after their peak condition then they may cause food poisoning.

Foods that stay fresh longer on the shelf

Onions, garlic and shallots stay for more than a month on the shelf while still fresh. This is only possible if the groceries are kept well.
  •          Onions could stay for up to 2 months if whole
  •          Shallots up to 1 month
  •          Garlic up to 2 months
  •         Dried chili pepper will stay up to 4 months in an air tight container

Those with a short life on the counter

These are vegetables and fruits that can stay for less than a week if stored on the counter.
  •         Tomatoes could stay for 3 days, but to ripen they should be kept in a paper bag at room temperature
  •          Potatoes up to 5 days, and make sure air circulates them
  •         Sweet potatoes and yams up to 2 weeks in a paper bag
  •          Oranges could stay up to 3 days
  •          Peaches, to ripen, should be put in a paper bag until soft and slightly fragrant
  •         Honeydew should be stored at room temperature in a paper bag, then once ripened can stay refrigerated for 5 days if whole and 3 days if sliced.
  •         Pineapple can be stored up to 5 days on the counter top and whole but 3 days if sliced in a refrigerator
  •           Bananas, lemon and other citrus fruits and melons are best if kept on the counter but once cut should be relegated to the refrigerator where germs do not survive. Bananas can stay at the counter for up to 5 days. .

The Refrigerator

Refrigeration is used in controlling bacteria. Low temperature stops bacteria from growing and also slows down the chemical reactions in the vegetable or fruit that may affect its quality. Vegetables from the refrigerator may be cooked in their frozen state; while it may be difficult to eat fruits in a frozen state, it is advisable to run the fruit under water or just remove it from the fridge earlier before consumption.

How to keep groceries in the refrigerator

The refrigerator should be kept below 5 degrees Celsius/41 degrees Fahrenheit. Overloading is not encouraged since space between items is essential for keeping the cold air circulating between the groceries. Fruits kept in the refrigerator should be left in their original packaging and should not washed before refrigeration. Vegetables to be stored in the refrigerator should be washed, rinsed and dried well and wrapped up in a paper towel before putting in the fridge.

Groceries that stay long in the refrigerator

  •          Apples could stay refrigerated for up to 3 weeks.
  •          Black berries could stay for up to 1 week.  The damaged and moldy berries should be removed before refrigeration to prevent the mold from moving to the rest of the berries.
  •          Broccoli could stay fresh for up to 1 week
  •          Green or red cabbage could stay up to 2 weeks
  •          Savoy and Napa cabbage stay fresh up to 1 week
  •          Cranberries could stay for up to 1 month
  •         Watermelon can stay for up to 1 week if whole

Groceries that can only stay refrigerated for less than a week

  • Cantaloupe up to 5 days when whole and 3 days if cut; after cutting, wash thoroughly to prevent bacterial transmission
  • Cucumbers up to 5 days·      
  • Grapes up to 3 days  but can extend to a week if kept in a bowl or a ventilated plastic bag
  • Kale up to 3 days
  • Bagged lettuce: Strictly follow the expiry date
  • Oranges up to 2 days
  • Peas up to 4 days but should be left in the pods until ready to eat
  • Spinach in a bunch up to 3days
  • Strawberries up to 3 days, and anything moldy and damaged should be discarded
  • Watermelon up to 2 days if cut


When buying groceries, one has to be keen on the condition of the vegetables and fruit being bought. Do not purchase swollen fruits and vegetables. This indicates bacteria has already grown inside. Fruits that produce more ethylene gas should be kept away from the rest. This gas is responsible for ripening. These fruits make the entire basket of fruits at the counter ripen and eventually become over ripe and swollen. This also leads to the formation of bacteria.


Information on where to store groceries, how to store and how long it takes still fresh is important since it reduces the cost of spoiled food and that of treating food poisoning after the consumption of fruits and vegetables with bacteria. This helps provide for a healthy living.

Wednesday, October 11, 2017

What is Fifths Disease: Causes and Symptoms

A virus causes fifth disease. It often results in a red rash on the arms, legs, and cheeks. For this reason, it’s also known as “slapped cheek disease.” It’s fairly common and mild in most children, but it can be more severe for pregnant women or anyone with a compromised immune system.Most doctors advise their patients to wait out the symptoms because currently there’s no medication that will shorten the course of the disease. However, if you have a weakened immune system, your doctor may need to closely monitor you until the symptoms disappear.


Source

Causes
Parvovirus B19 causes fifth disease. The virus tends to spread through saliva and respiratory secretions among children who are in elementary school. It’s most prevalent in the winter and spring, but it can spread at any time and among people of any age.

Symptoms
The initial symptoms of fifth disease are very general. They often include:
  • headache
  • fatigue
  • low-grade fever
  • sore throat
  • nausea
Diagnosis

Often, doctors can make the diagnosis just by looking at your skin rash. Your doctor may test you for specific antibodies if you’re likely to face serious consequences from fifth disease. This is especially the case if you’re pregnant or if you have a compromised immune system.


Treatment

For most healthy people, no treatment is necessary. If your joints hurt or you have a headache or fever, you may be advised to take acetaminophen (Tylenol) as needed to relieve these symptoms. Otherwise, you’ll need to wait for your body to fight off the virus, which usually takes one to three weeks.You can help the process along by drinking a lot of fluids and getting extra rest. Children can often return to school once the red rash appears since they’re no longer contagious.

Monday, October 9, 2017

What is Alopecia Areata?

Alopecia areata is a type of hair loss that occurs when your immune system mistakenly attacks hair follicles, which is where hair growth begins. The damage to the follicle is usually not permanent. Experts do not know why the immune system attacks the follicles. Alopecia areata is most common in people younger than 20, but children and adults of any age may be affected. Women and men are affected equally.

Diagnosis
 If the reason for your hair loss is not clear, your doctor may do tests to check for a       disease that     could be causing your hair loss. Tests include:
  • Hair analysis. Your doctor will take a sample of your hair and examine it under a microscope. A scalp sample is also sometimes taken.
  • Blood tests, including testing for a specific condition, such as an overactive or underactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism).
Treatment
  • Wear hairpieces. Hairpieces are made from human or synthetic hair that is implanted into a nylon netting. Hairpieces may be attached to the scalp with glue, metal clips, or tape. But hair weaving, which involves sewing or braiding pieces of longer hair into existing hair, is not recommended because it may cause permanent hair loss.
  • Use certain hair care products and styling techniques. Hair care products or perms may make hair appear thicker. Dyes may be used to color the scalp. But continual use of perms or dyes may result in more hair loss.
Alopecia areata does not affect you as another condition might: it is not painful, it does not make you feel sick, and it does not result in serious health problems. You cannot spread it to other people, and it should not interfere with school, work, or recreation. But if hair loss is making you feel unattractive, it is important to talk to someone about it. A counselor can help, as can talking to other people with the same condition.

Friday, October 6, 2017

What is Somnolence : Causes and Symptoms

Somnolence is a state of sleepiness where you're close to falling asleep, and may not be able to resist the urge to doze off. As someone in treatment for bipolar disorder or another mental illness, this can affect you since many psychiatric medications (and many non-psychiatric medications, too) can cause somnolence. That's why there are so many warnings about not driving until you know how a medication might affect you, or not operating heavy equipment when you're taking these medications. Literally, you could fall asleep in the middle of those activities, even when you're trying hard to stay awake. Somnolence is a medical term, but there are many other terms for the same state of sleepiness including drowsiness, lethargic, insensible and just plain sleepy. Medications are far from the only cause of this problem: Some clinicians estimate that excessive daytime sleepiness may affect up to 20% of the overall population.



Causes
There are a variety of causes of somnolence, and not all are related to your health or to medications you're taking. Perhaps the most common cause is simply not getting enough sleep — studies show that people who work different shifts that interfere with their normal sleep rhythms may be more prone to accidents and mistakes. For example, according to the National Sleep Foundation, the disintegration of the space shuttle Columbia and the grounding and subsequent oil spill from the Exxon Valdez both have been attributed to mistakes made due to fatigue. Shift workers may also be at higher risk for conditions like heart disease and diabetes.
Other possible somnolence causes can involve medical conditions (not treatments). Diabetes, chronic pain, low thyroid function and other conditions may cause excessive sleepiness. In addition, there are disorders specifically related to sleep — sleep apnea, for example, where you literally stop breathing for very short periods during sleep — that can interfere with your rest and cause somnolence when you're awake. To determine what's causing your problem, you may need an evaluation from a doctor who specializes in sleep disorders.


Bipolar Medications That Cause Somnolence
But there's no doubt that medications are a significant cause of somnolence, especially in people being treated for mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder.

• Antidepressants. One of the most common side effects reported for antidepressants is sleepiness, although some types also can cause insomnia. People taking selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as Prozac (generic name: fluoxetine) or serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) such as Cymbalta (generic name: duloxetine) report this problem. Older tricyclic antidepressants also can cause this problem.
• Benzodiazepines. These anti-anxiety drugs, which include Xanax (generic name: alprazolam) and Valium (Generic name: diazepam), also can cause severe somnolence. Medical studies have looked at the effects of caffeine (the equivalent of two or three cups of coffee) in people taking benzodiazepines, and have found it helps in some cases, but not all.
• Lithium. Many patients (but not all) report getting sleepy when taking lithium for their bipolar disorder, and in fact, tiredness and sleepiness are known side effects of the medication. This gets better with time in some people as they adjust to its effects.
• Anticonvulsant and anti-psychotic medications. Many of these medications cause drowsiness.

The medications used to treat bipolar disorder affect different people in different ways. Therefore, if you find that one drug or combination of medications is causing somnolence, talk to your doctor about adjusting your treatment regimen.

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Nausea After Eating : Symptoms and causes

Any number of conditions can make you sick to your stomach after a meal, from food poisoning to pregnancy. A closer look at your other symptoms can help you pinpoint what’s causing your nausea. Once you’ve identified the problem, your doctor can help you find a treatment that will stop you from getting sick to your stomach. Then you can enjoy your meals, nausea-free.



Causes
There are many conditions that can make you nauseated after eating.

    1. Food allergies
Certain foods, like shellfish, nuts, or eggs, can fool your immune system into identifying them as harmful foreign invaders. When you eat one of these trigger foods, your immune system launches a series of events that leads to the release of histamine and other chemicals. These chemicals produce allergy symptoms, which can range from hives and mouth swelling, to nausea.

          2. Food poisoning
Food that sits around for too long or isn’t properly refrigerated attracts bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can make you sick. Food poisoning symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, typically start within a few hours after you’ve eaten contaminated food.

         3. Stomach virus
This common bug, which is sometimes nicknamed the “stomach flu,” infects the intestines and triggers gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms like nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. You can catch a stomach virus by getting too close to someone who’s sick, or by eating food or drinking water that’s been contaminated with the virus.

           4. Pregnancy
One of the earliest signs that you’re pregnant is an uneasy, queasy feeling, which often starts during the second month of your pregnancy. Changing hormone levels trigger pregnancy nausea.Though it’s officially termed “morning sickness,” nausea can strike at any time of day, including mealtimes. Sometimes the smell or taste of certain foods is enough to make your stomach roll. The feeling is temporary, and it won’t harm you or your baby.

         5. Acid reflux
A burning feeling behind your breastbone, known as heartburn, is the hallmark symptom of gastroesophageal disease (GERD), but this condition can cause nausea, too. GERD happens when the muscular valve between your esophagus and stomach malfunctions, allowing stomach acid to leak up into your esophagus.

             6. Anxiety and stress
Stress doesn’t only take a toll on your emotions. It affects your physical health, too. A difficult breakup or job loss can make you lose your appetite, or feel sick after you eat. The nausea should let up once you get your stress under control.

          7. Cancer treatment
Some chemotherapy drugs cause nausea as a side effect. The nausea should go away after you’ve finished the treatment.


Symptoms
Having nausea once in a while after you eat isn’t cause for alarm, but you should call a doctor if it doesn’t go away within a week. Call right away if you have any of these other, more serious symptoms:
blood in your vomit or stools
chest pain
confusion
diarrhea that lasts for more than a few days
extreme thirst, little urine production, weakness, or dizziness, which are signs of dehydration
fever of over 101.5°F (30°C)
intense pain in the abdomen
rapid heartbeat
severe vomiting or trouble keeping food down

Prevention
Try these tips to avoid feeling sick after you eat:
Suck on ice cubes or crushed ice.
Avoid greasy, fried, or spicy foods.
Eat mainly bland foods, such as crackers or toast.
Eat smaller meals more frequently, instead of three large meals.
Relax and sit still after you eat to give your food time to digest.
Eat and drink slowly.
Serve foods cold or at room temperature if the smell of cooked food makes you feel queasy.

Your outlook will depend on what’s causing your nausea, and how you treat it. Usually, nausea after you eat will get better once you address the source of the problem.

Monday, October 2, 2017

What Is Hematochezia : Symptoms and Causes

Blood in the stool can be frightening, whether you discover it while wiping after a bowel movement or from a test ordered by your health care provider. While blood in stool can signal a serious problem, it doesn't always. Here's what you need to know about the possible causes of bloody stools and what you -- and your doctor -- should do if you discover a problem.


Causes
Blood in the stool means there is bleeding somewhere in your digestive tract. Sometimes the amount of blood is so small that it can only be detected by a fecal occult test (which checks for hidden blood in the stool). At other times it may visible on toilet tissue or in the toilet after a bowel movement as bright red blood. Bleeding that happens higher up in the digestive tract may make stool appear black and tarry.
Possible causes of blood in stool include:
  • Diverticular disease. Diverticula are small pouches that project from the colon wall. Usually diverticula don't cause problems, but sometimes they can bleed or become infected.
  • Anal fissure. A small cut or tear in the tissue lining the anus similar to the cracks that occur in chapped lips or a paper cut. Fissures are often caused by passing a large, hard stool and can be painful.
  • Colitis. Inflammation of the colon. Among the more common causes are infections or inflammatory bowel disease.
  • Angiodysplasia. A condition in which fragile, abnormal blood vessels lead to bleeding.
  • Peptic ulcers.An open sore in the lining of the stomach or duodenum, the upper end of the small intestine. Many peptic ulcers are caused by infection with a bacterium called Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori). Long-term use or high doses of anti-inflammatory drugs such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and naproxencan also cause ulcers.
  • Polyps or cancer. Polyps are benign growths that can grow, bleed, and become cancerous. Colorectal cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the U.S. It often causes bleeding that is not noticeable with the naked eye.
  • Esophageal problems. Varicose veins of the esophagus or tears in the esophagus can lead to severe blood loss.
Diagnosis
It is important to have a doctor evaluate any bleeding in the stool. Any details you can give about the bleeding will help your doctor locate the site of bleeding. For example, a black, tarry stool is likely an ulcer or other problem in the upper part of the digestive tract. Bright red blood or maroon-colored stools usually indicate a problem in the lower part of the digestive tract such as hemorrhoids or diverticulitis.

Symptoms
A person with blood in the stool may be unaware of bleeding and might have reported no symptoms. On the other hand, they may also have abdominal pain, vomiting, weakness, difficulty breathing, diarrhea, palpitations, fainting, and weight loss depending on the cause, location, length, and severity of the bleeding.

Treatment
A doctor may use one of several techniques to stop acute bleeding. Often endoscopy is used to inject chemicals into the site of bleeding, treat the bleeding site with an electric current or laser, or apply a band or clip to close the bleeding vessel. If endoscopy does not control bleeding, the doctor may use angiography to inject medicine into the blood vessels to control bleeding.
Depending on the cause, however, treatment may involve simple things you can do on your own. These including eating a high-fiber diet to relieve constipation that can cause and aggravate hemorrhoids and anal fissures, and sitting in warm or hot baths to relieve fissures. Your doctor will prescribe or recommend treatment based on the diagnosis.