5 major symptoms of early rectal polyps

The early symptoms of rectal polyps include blood in the stool, changes in bowel habits, abdominal pain or distension, foreign body sensation in the anus, and asymptomatic occult polyps. When these symptoms occur, you should see a doctor for colonoscopy and treatment as soon as possible to avoid the possibility of worsening.

1. Blood in stool

The most common and easily ignored symptom of rectal polyps is blood in the stool. Because the surface of polyps is fragile, they are easily damaged by friction during defecation, resulting in a small amount of bright red blood adhering to the surface of stool or toilet paper. If you find blood in the stool, you need to see a doctor immediately, because blood in the stool may also be a manifestation of hemorrhoids or more serious diseases such as rectal cancer.

2. Changes in bowel habits

The enlargement of polyps may cause more frequent bowel movements or a feeling of incomplete bowel movements. Some patients may experience thinner stools, more frequent bowel movements, or alternating constipation with diarrhea. If abnormal bowel habits persist for more than two weeks, it is recommended to seek medical attention as soon as possible.

3 Abdominal pain or bloating

Larger polyps may compress the rectal lining, causing dull pain or a feeling of heaviness in the abdomen. These symptoms are usually mild but persistent. Especially for patients with a family history of polyps, if they feel uncomfortable, they should be examined to rule out the possibility of malignancy.

4 Foreign body sensation in anus

If the polyps in the rectum move downward with defecation, it may cause discomfort or a foreign body sensation in the anus, and in severe cases, it may even fall out of the anus. At this time, patients may mistake it for hemorrhoids, but the treatment of rectal polyps is different and requires targeted treatment after a clear diagnosis.

5. Asymptomatic Hidden

Some polyps are small in size and have no obvious symptoms in the early stage. They are only discovered through routine health check-ups or colonoscopy screening. This is also the main reason why middle-aged and elderly people are recommended to undergo regular colonoscopy examinations, because early asymptomatic polyps may develop into cancer over time.

Early detection and treatment of rectal polyps is the key to preventing related complications. Blood in the stool or abnormal bowel movements should not be ignored. It is recommended to go to the hospital for examination immediately and choose endoscopic polypectomy or other appropriate treatment methods according to the doctor's advice.