Occult blood
Occult blood refers to blood that is not visible to the naked eye. It is usually detected through a fecal occult blood test (FOBT), which is used to find blood in the feces that is not visible. Occult blood in the stool is a sign of a problem in the digestive system, which could be a hemorrhage or another issue such as a ulcer, polyps, colitis, diverticulosis, cancer or hemorrhoids.
Causes[edit | edit source]
Occult blood in the stool is not normal and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider. It can be caused by a variety of conditions, including:
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Peptic ulcer
- Gastric cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures
- Diverticulosis
- Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
- Esophageal varices
Diagnosis[edit | edit source]
The presence of occult blood is usually detected through a fecal occult blood test (FOBT). This test involves taking a small sample of stool and applying it to a special card, slide or test strip that is then analyzed in a laboratory. The test can detect small amounts of blood in the stool that would not be visible to the naked eye.
Treatment[edit | edit source]
Treatment for occult blood in the stool depends on the underlying cause. If the cause is a peptic ulcer, for example, treatment may involve medications to reduce stomach acid and promote healing. If the cause is colorectal cancer, treatment may involve surgery, radiation therapy, and/or chemotherapy.
See also[edit | edit source]
- Fecal occult blood
- Gastrointestinal bleeding
- Peptic ulcer
- Gastric cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Hemorrhoids
- Anal fissures
- Diverticulosis
- Inflammatory bowel disease
- Esophageal varices
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