Noticing red poop can be surprising, but it’s not always an emergency. It sometimes happens when you eat certain foods. It could also be a sign of gastrointestinal (GI) tract bleeding.
Upper GI tract bleeding is common, sending around 100,000 people to the hospital each year.23 If red poop occurs with unexplained symptoms like pain and weight loss, see a doctor to understand what’s happening.
Red poop is a movement that appears red instead of the usual brown. It can look different depending on the cause.4..To Read The Full Content; Tap Here Now .
If red poop is from food, it may resemble red dye. Lower GI bleeding often shows as bright red, while upper GI bleeding may appear maroon.156
The shade, frequency, and amount of red poop can vary. It may occur once or multiple times. Symptoms like stomach pain, painful bowel movements, or anal itching may accompany it.1
Red poop can occur due to a variety of factors—including foods, medications, and digestive disorders.4
Diet
Diet often causes red poop. Foods with dyes or natural colors can tint your poop red. It’s a sign of undigested pigments.1
Common culprits include:457
Foods with Red Dye 40 food coloring (e.g., gelatin, popsicles, and red sports drinks)
Tomato soup or juice
Beets
Cranberries
Even if a food product does not appear noticeably red, it may still contain artificial dyes that affect poop color, so check the food label to be sure.8 If your diet is the cause of your red poop, you likely will not have any other symptoms that would indicate a GI issue, such as stomach pain or fever.
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels that occur inside or outside of the anus. Because they can burst and bleed, you can develop red poop or notice blood on the toilet paper when you wipe.
Hemorrhoids may be caused by long-term constipation or diarrhea, eating a low-fiber diet, or repeatedly straining during bowel movements.9
If hemorrhoids cause your red poop, you may also have anal itching and pain. They are usually not a concern and are treatable with OTC or prescription medications.9
Other Health Conditions
Brighter or darker red poop can mean GI tract bleeding.10 Conditions like digestive disorders may cause rectal bleeding.14116
The most common conditions that can cause rectal bleeding include:
Anal fissure: A small tear in the tissue lining of the anus can cause bleeding, leading to a red-colored bowel movement.12
Colon polyps: Abnormal tissue growths inside the colon can bleed, prompting bloody stool that may appear bright red or dark red, depending on where the bleed occurs.13
Colorectal cancer: Research suggests that cancer of the colon, anus, or rectum commonly causes bleeding that might result in noticeably red poop.14
Diverticular disease: In addition to stomach bloating or cramping, bloody poop can be another symptom of diverticular disease, which happens when small sacs in the wall of the colon become inflamed or infected.15
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD): Both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis fall under the IBD umbrella and cause inflammation in the GI tract—often leading to bleeding and red poop that may be diarrhea-like.16
Infection: Certain infections impacting the GI tract, including bacterial gastroenteritis and E. coli, may trigger red poop or red diarrhea.1718
Rectal prolapse: Red, bloody poop may occur if the rectum starts sagging and coming out through the anus.19
Medications
Several medications and supplements could also be prompting red-colored stools, including:
Antibiotics: Some antibiotics used to treat bacterial infections, including Mycobutin (rifabutin) and Achromycin V (tetracycline), may cause red-tinted stools.204
Bismuth: Over-the-counter medications containing this stomach-soothing ingredient (e.g., Pepto-Bismol) tend to turn your poop to a dark red (or sometimes black) shade.21
Corticosteroids: This class of anti-inflammatory drugs has been linked to an increased risk for GI bleeding that might manifest as red stools.22
Iron supplements: Though it’s rare, supplementing with too much iron may lead to stomach damage and GI bleeding, resulting in bright red poop.20
Medications that contain red dyes: Medications like cherry-flavored syrups or laxatives can trigger dark reddish tints in your stool.204
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs): Over-the-counter pain relievers can increase the risk of developing stomach ulcers, which may lead to GI bleeding and red poop.23
If you think medication may be causing your red poop, check with a doctor before suddenly stopping or replacing a medication on your own.24
Noticing an occasional change in your poop color is not necessarily a cause for alarm. Red poop that continues for a couple of days merits a call to a doctor to receive a proper evaluation.4
Seek medical attention right away if you notice red poop alongside symptoms like:514
Fever
Fatigue
Dizziness
Vomiting blood
Blood in your bowel movement
Unexplained weight loss
A doctor will want to rule out dietary causes vs. GI tract bleeding.
In addition to performing a physical exam, asking about your symptoms, and reviewing your medical history, a doctor may order one or more of the following tests to determine if there’s blood in your red poop:4125
Stool tests to confirm the presence of blood in the stool and test for infection or inflammation
Blood tests to check for signs of infection, cancer, or other health conditions
Colonoscopy to view the inside of the lower GI tract, typically for colon polyps or colorectal cancer
Endoscopy to examine the upper GI tract for any abnormalities
A doctor may also refer you to a gastroenterologist, a doctor specializing in gut health and digestive disorders.
Before a doctor can treat red poop, they need to determine if GI bleeding is the cause of your symptoms.
Medications are often the first line of treatment for red poop from conditions that cause GI bleeding (e.g., stomach ulcers, inflammation, or infection).26 Surgery may be required in serious cases where attempts to stop GI bleeding have not been successful.2726
If your red poop is due to diet, refrain from eating the food that triggered your red poop to return your poop color to normal. If medications are causing your red stools, a doctor may recommend adjusting your dose and prescribing a different medication.
It’s not uncommon for poop colors to vary occasionally.
Experts recommend a few tips for supporting healthy, regular bowel movements overall:2892930
Be mindful of eating foods that contain artificial or natural red dye.
Avoid straining during bowel movements by eating high-fiber foods, drinking plenty of water, and limiting time spent sitting on the toilet.
Take medications as prescribed and tell a doctor about any side effects you have.
Treat underlying digestive disorders that may be causing your symptoms.
Get screened for colorectal cancer, particularly if you have a family history of bowel cancer.