Management

In low risk patients with rectal bleeding who are not overly anxious, it is reasonable to manage symptomatically; minimally symptomatic hemorrhoids may be safely observed (1).

Patients with symptomatic haemorrhoids should be given advice about topical treatment, oral fluid intake, high fiber diet and fiber supplementation.

An acute anal fissure, which creates a tear in the skin of the anal canal, may be treated with dietary advice and bulking agent.

Management of a lower GI bleed requires initial resuscitation and diagnosis of the underlying condition.

Reference:

1. Royal College of Surgeons (2013). Commissioning guide: Rectal bleeding. Available at https://www.rcseng.ac.uk/-/media/files/rcs/library-and-publications/non-journal-publications/rectal-bleeding--commissioning-guide.pdf. (Accessed on 01/2023)