Top 10 Home Remedies for Blood in Stool in India

Haematochezia, or blood in stool or rectal bleeding, is a medical condition that refers to leaking blood from the rectum or anus. Bleeding may be detected in the stool, toilet paper, or as blood in the bowl. The reason behind blood in stool scales from certain mild diseases to life-threatening illnesses. These include anal fissures, inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), and haemorrhoids. 

A tiny amount of blood in stools is not a concern and usually requires no treatment. However, if it occurs in high amounts, it can cause extreme pain and discomfort, which you must never overlook.

Blood in stools can be of three different colours. These colours primarily indicate the source of bleeding inside the body.

1. Dark Red or Maroon-Coloured Blood in Stools: Dark red/ maroon-coloured blood indicates bleeding in the upper part of the colon or the small intestine.

2. Bright Red-Coloured Blood in Stools: Bright red-coloured blood signifies bleeding in the lower gastrointestinal tract - lower colon,  rectum or anus.

3. Melena: Melena (sticky, black, tar-like stool) indicates bleeding in the stomach (usually due to ulcers). 

As there are plenty of potential causes for blood in stool, the symptoms of rectal bleeding may vary from person to person. Therefore, it’s best to talk to a healthcare provider to help identify the root cause of blood in the stool. However, blood in stool most often does not accompany any serious illness and can be addressed at home. Let’s have a look at the symptoms of blood in stool:

1. Abdominal pain

2. Faintness

3. Mental confusion

4. Dizziness

5. Diarrhoea 

6. Pain/ pressure in rectum

7. Tightness in the abdominal area

8. Bright red/ maroon coloured blood in stool, in pants, on toilet paper, or on the toilet seat

9. Weight loss

10. Difficult bowel movements

11. Constipation

12. Melena stools (sticky, black, tar-like stool)

Rectal bleeding or blood in the stool occurs because of various reasons. Knowing the underlying cause of blood in the stool can help the patient receive the appropriate treatment. Here are the potential causes of blood in stool:

1. Anal Fissures: Anal fissure is a small tear in the tissue that lines the anus. They commonly occur due to the passage of hard stools or constipation. A patient with anal fissures may experience pain and bleeding while passing a bowel movement. 

2. Haemorrhoids: Haemorrhoids, commonly called piles, are swollen veins in the anus or rectum. They are the leading cause of blood in stools. 

1. Studies suggest that around half of the population develops haemorrhoids by 50 years of their age.

2. However, piles do not indicate any medical emergency. Patients can get rid of piles with proper medications and a healthy lifestyle.

3. Diverticulitis: Tiny, bulging pouches called diverticula develop inside the intestine, most commonly due to an infection. In diverticulitis, these pouches get infected or inflamed and can lead to rectal bleeding.

4. Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): IBD refers to inflammation of the small and large intestines. It usually occurs due to a weakened immune system and can be of two types: 

1. Crohn’s Disease: It is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the inner lining of the digestive tract. It can affect any part of the digestive tract.

2. Colitis: Colitis refers to chronic inflammation of the large intestine, which can have an infectious or autoimmune origin.

5. Anal Abscess or Fistula: Anal abscess or fistula occurs due to the infection of the glands present in the wall of the anus. These glands are responsible for secreting mucus, which helps lubricate the anal canal, thus making it easier for the stool to pass. In diseases like tuberculosis, an infection of these glands can lead to an anal abscess or fistula, which can lead to blood in stools.

6. Polyps: Polyps refer to a mushroom-shaped outgrowth at the side of the bowel. Large polyps can cause blood in stools. Moreover, bleeding due to polyps must not be overlooked as it can indicate colorectal cancer.

7. Stomach Ulcers: Ulcers in the stomach commonly result in black, sticky, tar-like stools. This occurs due to bleeding in the stomach, which combines with acid resulting in the formation of black, tarry stools as opposed to fresh red blood seen in lower gastrointestinal bleeding.

Blood in the stool can undoubtedly be troublesome and painful. Moreover, the blood stains on pants, toilet paper, and toilet seats can be quite annoying and embarrassing. 

Some medications provide relief, but their effect is temporary. Home remedies can be affordable and convenient and work as a natural cure for blood in stools. Blood in stool remedy helps ease pain and discomfort and ends the root cause of blood in the stool. 

Here are some of the major benefits of using home remedies to help cure blood in stool in India: 

1. No Side Effects: Unlike medicines, home remedies include natural products, such as herbs, shrubs, spices, etc. Therefore, these home remedies for blood in stool are natural and have fewer side effects.

2. Cost-Effective: Home remedies for blood in stool are very low-priced as most of the ingredients used to make these home remedies are readily available in the kitchen. 

3. Convenient: Ingredients for blood in stool are readily available in every Indian kitchen. Hence, patients can prepare it quickly in the comfort of their homes.

4. Improves Digestion: Home remedies for blood in stool cure bleeding and improve the patient's overall digestive health.

5. Complimentary to Medical Treatment: The best part about blood-in-motion home remedies is that patients can take them with other medical treatments. 

Certain dietary changes, along with some additional remedies, can be of great benefit for patients having mild to moderate blood in stools. Here are some of the best blood-in-motion home remedies:

1. Eat Fibre-Rich Foods:  Fibre-rich foods help soften the stool by increasing the water content and bulk of the stools. This helps in the easy passage of stools and avoids straining at the toilet. Below is a list of high-fibre foods that help cure blood in stool:

1. Fruits: Pear, blackberries, strawberries, apples, bananas, and blueberries.

2. Vegetables: Beet, carrot, spinach, tomato, and sweet potato.

3. Lentils, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, chia seeds, fresh coconut, quinoa, corn, oats.

2. Sitz Bath: In a sitz bath, a person sits in a shallow warm bathtub to help treat the underlying causes of blood in stool, such as anal fissures, piles, Bartholinn cysts, etc. 3 to 4 sitz baths a day can help reduce blood in the stool. One can prepare a sitz bath in their bathtub or purchase a sitz bath kit and fit it in their toilet seat. 

1. Here’s how to perform a sitz bath:

1. Firstly, clean the bathtub/ sitz bath kit. 

2. Fill the bathtub/ plastic tub (comes with the sitz bath kit) with warm water. Ensure the water isn’t hot, or it could burn the skin.

3. Sit and soak in the water for around 20 minutes.

4. When done, dry the area around the anus with a clean, soft cloth. Patients shouldn’t rub the area. 

3. Witch Hazel: Witch Hazel is a plant whose parts (such as leaves, bark, twigs, etc.) are used for medicinal properties. It relieves pain, itching, and bleeding due to its astringent and anti-inflammatory properties. 

1. Witch hazel water can be applied directly to the affected area. It can also be added to a cloth or cotton ball and applied to the affected part. One can also use wipes and soaps enriched with witch hazel to prevent pain and bleeding.

4. Cold Compress: Applying ice cubes wrapped in a towel can help reduce pain by numbing the affected area. Avoid applying the ice directly to the skin as it may hurt the skin.

5. Isabgol: Isabgol is one of the best home remedies for blood in the stool as it is a fibre that helps to soften stools and reduce constipation. Here’s how to use isabgol: 

1. Add isabgol powder to a glass of lukewarm water or milk and drink it. 

2. Do this twice a day to reduce blood in motion.

6. Over-the-Counter Medications: Medications, such as haemorrhoid creams, ointments and suppositories, are beneficial and provide temporary relief from blood in the stool. However, always consult the doctor before using any over-the-counter medications for blood in the stool.

7. Aloe vera: Applying aloe vera around the anus can help manage pain in patients with blood in the stool because of its anti-inflammatory properties. However, please ensure that the aloe vera gel is natural and not artificial.

8. Banana and Yoghurt: A mixture of banana and yoghurt is another effective home remedy for blood in the stool as it helps improve the stool consistency and, thus, its passage. Here’s how to prepare a banana-yoghurt mixture.

1. Mash the banana.

2. Add it to yoghurt and consume it. 

3. Eat this mixture at least 4-5 times a day. 

9. Raisin (Kishmish): Raisin is the best blood-in-motion home remedy. Raisin helps treat conditions like constipation. It also softens the stool. Here’s how to use raisins as a home remedy for blood in motion:

1. Soak raisins in water for a night.

2. Next day, remove its seeds and boil them with milk. 

10. Fennel Seeds (Saunf): Fennel seed is super useful in treating piles, bloating, and blood in the stool. Here’s how to use fennel seeds as a blood-in-stool remedy:

1. Roast some fennel seeds in a pan.

2. Then grind it to make a fine powder.

3. Add the powder to lukewarm water and drink it. 

Important note: 

1. These blood-in-stool remedies may not work for everyone. 

2. One should use home remedies only if the blood in the stool occurs due to any mild illness.

3. Talking to a doctor and receiving proper medications is mandatory in case of a severe underlying illness.

Home remedies effectively treat rectal bleeding. However, patients must remember the following points before using any type of home remedies for blood in stool:

1. Know the Underlying Cause: Before taking any home remedies, patients must identify what exactly is causing them to have blood in their stools. Understanding the cause of blood in stool helps in receiving the proper treatment. 

2. Talk to an Experienced Healthcare Provider: If the patient is unsure about the underlying cause, they must talk to an experienced healthcare provider to help diagnose the root cause of blood in the stool. The healthcare providers will do the necessary medical investigations to find the underlying cause. 

3. Follow the Instructions: Like any medical treatment, patients must also follow the instructions related to home remedies. This increases the healing power of home remedies; thus, patients get quick relief.

4. Keep an Eye on Yourself: While using blood-in-stool home remedies, patients must check for adverse reactions. 

5. Do not be Blindfolded: Do not follow home remedies for blood in stool from unknown websites or magazines. Remember that not every source available is trustable. Hence, follow home remedies from only reputed and authoritative sources. 

6. Eat a Balanced Diet: Home remedies demand a healthy routine and a well-balanced diet to be effective. Therefore, eat only healthy foods and include all the colours in meals. 

Home remedies are one of the best ways to help treat rectal bleeding. However, patients must follow the abovementioned points to ensure they benefit from these blood-in-stool home remedies and avoid further complications. 

Often, blood in stool happens as a result of a poor lifestyle. For instance, people with poor eating habits develop constipation which can turn into haemorrhoids and later blood in stools. 

Therefore, one should maintain a proper lifestyle to help avoid blood in stools. A few of the points are given below:

1. Drink Plenty of Water: Blood in stools might be a complication of problems, such as gas and bloating. Hence, patients must drink at least eight glasses of water every day as water helps reduce bloating.

2. Avoid Straining and Sitting in the Toilet for too long: Too much straining can cause a lot of wear and tear in the walls of the anus, which can result in bleeding. Hence, absolutely avoid straining when sitting in the toilet. Try passing stools in frequent intervals rather than sitting for too long on the toilet.

3. Maintain Proper Hygiene: Poor hygiene may result in infection and abscesses in the anal glands. Hence, maintaining proper hygiene becomes of utmost importance. 

1. After passing each bowel movement, you clean the anal area with soap and water. 

2. Always keep the affected area dry. 

3. Change your underwear frequently throughout the day in case of active bleeding. 

4. Improve Eating Habits: Habits, such as eating on small plates, chewing food slowly, and not drinking water for about half an hour post meals, help improve digestion. Hence, patients must acquire these eating habits to get rid of blood in the stool. 

5. Foods: Spicy foods, junk foods, caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated drinks can cause digestive issues, which in turn, can lead to blood in stools. Thus, it’s advised to stop eating unhealthy foods. 

6. Regular Exercise: Cardiovascular exercises such as jogging, elliptical training, and swimming can help in the long run. These are mainly beneficial in treating and preventing piles.

7. Stay Stress-Free: Stress and anxiety can cause constipation, which can lead to blood in the stool. Hence, people must avoid stressful situations. In case of severe anxiety, one must talk to a psychiatrist.

8. Sleep: Sleep deprivation is responsible for many gastrointestinal issues, such as constipation, gas, loose motions, and bloating. With that said, complete at least 7 to 9 hours of night sleep daily.

Although home remedies are extremely helpful in treating blood in stool, patients must consult their healthcare provider if they suspect any reactions or feel the remedy is not working.  

A few of the main points indicating that patients must consult a healthcare provider are: 

1. Unable to identify the root cause behind blood in stools.

2. Feeling no relief after using home remedies for blood in stools.

3. Unable to urinate.

4. Getting unconscious.

5. An unexpected drop in blood pressure.

6. Fast heartbeats.

7. Sudden weight loss. 

Blood in stool is a painful and uncomfortable condition that can significantly impact your confidence and quality of life. While several medications are available to treat blood in stool, many people find home remedies the best cure for blood in stool. Home remedies, such as banana and yoghurt, milk and turmeric, raisin, fennel seeds, fiber-rich foods, isabgol, cold compress and sitz bath, are some of India's most convenient and effective remedies for blood in the stool. 

However, you should use home remedies only if you know the underlying cause of blood in the stool. That said, if you or your loved ones are suffering from blood in your stools, feel free to contact us. Our expert team of healthcare providers will help you clear all your doubts regarding home remedies for blood in stools. Along with that, they’ll also help you treat the condition. Our first consultation call is free of cost. So wait no more; contact us at HexaHealth RIGHT NOW!

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