What is Blood in the Stool?
More information related to this PodcastTranscript: Guest: Dr. Brenda Hoffman – Gastroenterology-Hepatology Host: Dr. Linda Austin – Psychiatry Dr. Linda Austin: I am Dr. Linda Austin, talking with Dr. Brenda Hoffman who is Professor of Medicine at the Digestive Disease Center, Medical University of South Carolina. Dr. Hoffman, one of the earliest signs that there can be something going on in the GI tract is rectal bleeding, or blood in the stool. Sometimes that can be for not such a serious reason, such as a hemorrhoid, for example. When should a person be concerned about blood in their stool? Dr. Brenda Hoffman: In young individuals, the most common diagnosis is going to be non-cancer. If you have a family history, though, of colon cancer then you need to be concerned no matter what your age. In younger individuals, if they have persistent bleeding, if it came and it lasted, then they need to seek assistance. Anyone over 45 who has newly developed bleeding per rectum needs to have it
