Call 911 or emergency medical assistance
Seek emergency help if you have significant rectal bleeding and any signs of shock:
- Rapid, shallow breathing
- Dizziness or lightheadedness after standing up
- Blurred vision
- Fainting
- Confusion
- Nausea
- Cold, clammy, pale skin
- Low urine output
Seek immediate medical attention
Have someone drive you to an emergency room if rectal bleeding is:
- Continuous or heavy
- Accompanied by severe abdominal pain or cramping
Schedule a doctor's visit
Make an appointment to see your doctor if you have rectal bleeding that lasts more than a day or two, or earlier if the bleeding worries you.
March 04, 2020
- Strate L. Etiology of lower gastrointestinal bleeding in adults. https://www.uptodate.com/contents/search. Accessed Jan. 16, 2020.
- Gastrointestinal bleeding. National Institute for Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/gastrointestinal-bleeding. Accessed Jan. 16, 2020.
- Understanding minor rectal bleeding. American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. https://www.asge.org/home/for-patients/patient-information/understanding-minor-rectal-bleeding. Accessed Jan. 16, 2020.
- Innes JA, et al., eds. The gastrointestinal system. In: MacLeod's Clinical Examination. 14th ed. Elsevier. 2018. https://www.clinicalkey.com. Accessed Jan. 16, 2020.