Emerging Treatments for Common Causes of Rectal Bleeding

Rectal bleeding can be uncomfortable and embarrassing. It can also be a sign of a serious medical problem and should be treated by a gastroenterologist. Dr. Vikram Jayanty and Dr. Julien Fahed offer a full range of gastroenterology services, including diagnosis and treatment of rectal bleeding in Houston, TX.

What You Need to Know About Rectal Bleeding 

Rectal bleeding can be caused by something as simple as a hemorrhoid or more complex problems, including ulcers, inflammatory bowel disease, or colorectal cancer. If you have rectal bleeding that doesn’t resolve, you need to see a gastroenterologist. 

The gastroenterologist may recommend a diagnostic procedure such as a colonoscopy to diagnose the cause of your rectal bleeding. Your first colonoscopy should be performed by the time you reach age 45 and every few years after that. Regular colonoscopies can identify serious conditions early when they are more easily treated. 

To treat rectal bleeding in Houston, TX, it’s necessary to treat the underlying cause. The most common cause of rectal bleeding is hemorrhoids, and there are different ways to treat hemorrhoids, including: 

• Hemorrhoid banding to cut off blood flow to the hemorrhoid, so it dries up and falls away
• We can do hemorrhoidal banding in the office as an outpatient with no sedation
• Electrotherapy or ligation to close off blood flow to the hemorrhoid 

If rectal bleeding is caused by inflammatory bowel disease or ulcers, medication, dietary changes, stress management, and other treatment solutions may be recommended. 

Colorectal cancer is the most severe medical condition associated with rectal bleeding. Additional signs and symptoms of colorectal cancer include: 

• Unexplained weight loss 
• Chronic fatigue and weakness 
• Abdominal pain and cramping 
• Constipation or diarrhea 
• Dark stools or a change in stool consistency 

Treatment for colorectal cancer depends on the stage and severity of cancer. Treatments include surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy. 

Do You Want to Know More About Rectal Bleeding Treatment? 

Talk with your gastroenterologist to learn more about emerging treatments for rectal bleeding in Houston, TX. Call Dr. Jayanty and Dr. Fahed at (713) 932-9200 today!