For example,black-colored poop(also calledmelena) can indicate an issue in your upper digestive system.

5 causes of bloody stool.

They can be external or internal, and may lead to bright red bleeding.

Ajay Goel, Ph.D.

While hemorrhoids can be painful, uncomfortable, and sometimes itchy, they’re usually no cause for alarm.

Hemorrhoids can stem from straining during difficult bowel movements, pregnancy, or prolonged sitting.

What to do:Soaking in a warm bath may help reduce swelling and discomfort from hemorrhoids.

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(Here:25 high-fiber foods.)

They are often compared to paper cuts or cracks from chapped lips.

Symptoms often include bloating, fever, nausea, tenderness in the stomach or intense abdominal pain.

In rare cases, it may result in bright red bleeding from the rectum.

The condition can be either acute or chronic.

To manage the pain, rest up and drink plenty of water.

There is also research suggesting that omega-3 fatty acids canhelp reduce inflammation4for people concerned with diverticular disease.

Colitis and Crohn’s disease are two common forms of inflammatory bowel disease.

Both can cause inflammation and may lead to ulcers in the digestive tract.

They can also develop from long-term use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), like Ibuprofen.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease can causebloody diarrhea5, as well as stools that contain mucus or pus.

This may include limiting inflammatory foods, or whatever triggers your flare-ups.

Research also suggests boswellia (or Indian frankincense) may help manage inflammatory bowel disease.

They foundboswellia to be equally as effective6, without some of the dangerous side effects of the medication.

Polyps or Cancer

Polypsare small masses of cells that can form in the colon.

While anyone can develop colon polyps, people over the age of 50 are at a higher risk.