Dear Doctor

Dear Doctor: I’ve recently noticed blood in the toilet when having a bowel movement.  Should I be concerned?

This is a very common complaint amongst our patients.  Although common, it should be taken seriously.  Bleeding with bowel movements, whether just on the toilet paper, mixed with the stool, and/or dripping in the toilet water is a sign of something abnormal.

Your colon and rectal surgeon will want to know how long it has been going on, the frequency of the bleeding, the volume of the bleeding, whether it involves anal pain, and the color of the blood.  Unfortunately, bright red blood does not always mean that the bleeding is coming from the low rectum or anus… a common misconception.

Bleeding can be a sign of benign processes like hemorrhoids, anal fissures or tears, intestinal inflammation, diverticulosis, and excessive wiping after a bowel movement, just to name a few.  However, even small volumes of blood can be a sign of cancer, large polyps, or a warning sign of a heavier bleed to come.

The bottom line is if you see blood, it’s best to have it checked out.  Fortunately, we can often diagnose the source of the bleeding in the office with a thorough discussion of your symptoms and a physical exam.  The exam should not be painful and we strive to make patients comfortable.  If the evaluation requires additional testing, such as a colonoscopy, this can be arranged quickly and should be painless.  Patients are comfortably sedated and can be back to their normal routines by the following day.  Do not ignore the bleeding.  For more information or to schedule an appointment please contact our UT Physicians Colon and Rectal Clinic.

Omar I. Madriz, M.D. and Scott T. McKnight, M.D. treat patients at the UT Physicians Colon and Rectal Clinic at Katy.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact the clinic at 713.486.4730.  Clinic location:  Memorial Hermann Katy, Medical Plaza 1, 23920 Katy Freeway, Suite 580, Katy, TX 77494.

Support Christian Journalism

Freedom ​is Not Free! Free Speech is essential to a functioning Republic. The assault on honest, Christian Journalism and Media has taken a devastating toll over the last two years. Many Christian media outlets have not survived.

It is through your Generosity and Support that we are able to promote Free Speech and Safeguard our Freedoms and Liberties throughout our Communities and the Nation. Without your donations, we cannot continue to publish articles written through a Biblical worldview.

Please consider donating or subscribing today. A donation of any size makes a Big Difference. Thank you for your Support!

Joseph Menslage

As the President and Publisher of Katy and Fort Bend Christian Magazines, Joe Menslage is committed to covering social and political news from a Christian worldview. He founded Katy Christian Magazine in 2005, which swept the greater Houston and Katy areas like a storm. That’s when Joe realized the urgent need for publications willing to give voices to the voiceless, without political correctness or censorship. Joe Menslage founded sister-publication Fort Bend Christian Magazine in 2014. Prior to creating Katy Christian Magazine, Joe Menslage led a colorful life. He was born in Lake Charles, Louisiana, spent a great deal of his childhood in Colorado, and lived in a couple of other states before he moved to Houston in 1981. Joe was God-gifted with an entrepreneurial mind, and self-started other business ventures before he found his calling. In Joe’s words, our innate talents are given by the Lord, and are meant to be used to serve the Lord. Aside from being a President and Publisher, Joe Menslage is also the co-founder of Katy Christian Chamber of Commerce, where Christians can network, build business connections, listen to passionate speakers, and enjoy monthly breakfasts and lunches. Joe Menslage also hosts a weekly political satire YouTube channel. Joe Menslage has four children. Outside of work, he enjoys hiking, watching zombie movies and K dramas, ax-throwing and Krav Maga.