Results

Cause of your symptoms

Your rectal bleeding is probably from normal veins just inside the back passage and your change in bowel habit and abdominal pain could be the after-effects of a mild infection.

Advice

Try the treatments outlined below for two weeks.

Treatments

Eat less roughage and if necessary take bowel sedatives to reduce the number of times you go to the toilet. Try an antispasmodic tablet for your abdominal pain or discomfort. A pharmacist can advise on suitable treatments.

What now?

If you get better nothing else needs to be done but if your symptoms persist for two more weeks or recur after stopping treatment, see your GP.

---

You are less than 50 years old and have a change in bowel habit to going more often with looser stools associated with rectal bleeding without pile symptoms and abdominal pain or discomfort without significant weight loss or loss of appetite.

Additional information if you see your GP

Patients over 40 years old who have these symptoms persistent and unremitting for over six weeks merit referral to the 2-week clinic. In patients below 40 years old who have a normal examination of their tummy and back passage and a normal blood test it would be appropriate to refer them to a routine clinic with a request for a prompt appointment.