Common stomach ailments or a change in bowel habits happen to everyone from time to time. They don’t always mean that you have a serious condition like colorectal cancer, but it’s important to know the symptoms. Contact your provider when symptoms persist or if you experience more than one at a time.
What to Look For: Blood in the toilet, on the stool, or on toilet paper after a bowel movement
Other Considerations: Conditions like hemorrhoids or fissures can also cause bleeding. If you notice blood, contact your physician and mention any other symptoms. Any blood that appears after a bowel movement should be evaluated by a clinician, and large amounts of blood may warrant an emergency room visit.
Shape: Normal stool should be medium-brown, smooth, and not too soft or firm (Numbers 3 and 4 on the Bristol Stool Chart). A Thin, narrow, or ribbon-like stool could indicate changes inside your colon.
Color: Blood, darkened, or tarry (black) stool can signal issues inside the colon. Your doctor can help determine the cause.
Diarrhea: This is a loose stool that can be caused by an intolerance to certain foods, medication, stress, or exposure to bacteria (often experienced when traveling). Most people will get at least a mild case of diarrhea several times a year. In most cases, the condition will resolve on its own within two or three days. Contact your healthcare provider Iif it continues longer than three days to determine the cause.
Constipation: This is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints. Constipation is defined as having less than three bowel movements in a week. Having constipation does not mean you have colon cancer. A change in your diet, poor nutritional habits, stress, dehydration or lack of physical activity can also cause constipation. If your constipation lasts longer than two weeks, you should see a doctor to identify its cause.
What to Note: Track when changes began and any lifestyle or diet changes that might have occurred.
Cause: Chronic internal bleeding (like from a bleeding polyp, etc.) can lead to iron deficiency (anemia), causing persistent tiredness.
What It Is: Anemia occurs when there are not enough healthy red blood cells (hemoglobin) to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues.
Symptoms: Diagnosed with a blood test, look for fatigue and pale skin. Anemia can be a sign of internal bleeding.
What to Watch For: Sudden weight loss or a significant drop in energy levels for no apparent reason. Take note of when the changes occur and contact your physician for evaluation.
Cause: Like constipation or diarrhea, stomach discomfort is a common occurrence and can result from a poor diet, food intolerance, stress, or other factors. Be aware of discomfort that does not go away or cramping that worsens. Stomach discomfort or cramping that doesn’t go away could indicate colon issues.
Note: This cramping can be disguised as menstrual pain in people with a uterus. Be sure to talk to your care provider if this pain is outside of your normal period pain.
Symptoms: Constant bloating or a persistent urge to have a bowel movement, even when there is no need to have one, could indicate changes in your colon preventing a complete bowel evacuation. Contact your physician to be evaluated and determine the cause.
Remember: Many people diagnosed with colorectal cancer report no symptoms. Regular screening is crucial, especially if you’re over 45 or have a family history of CRC.
