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Colorectal Diseases

Abdominal Pain and Rectal Bleeding

11/02/2009

Question:

For the last few years, I have had lower abdominal pain on my left side. At one point, I did have rectal bleeding (again years ago) for a day. For months now, I have had no pain, but this morning (after a hard work out the previous day and night out to dinner with drinks) I experienced the pain again and have bright red rectal bleeding. Is this something I should be concerned about?

Answer:

Yes, you should be concerned enough to seek evaluation by a local physician. The cause may be anything from diverticulitis, to inflammatory bowel disease, to a malignant lesion in the colon. It may also be related to hemorrhoidal disease or an infectious process. In any case, your complaints deserve evaluation, possibly with colonoscopy, and/or CT scan.

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Response by:

Janice Frederick Rafferty, MD Janice Frederick Rafferty, MD
Professor of Surgery
Chief of Colorectal Surgery Division
College of Medicine
University of Cincinnati