Final answer:
Blood on the toilet paper and pain with defecation can be symptoms of hemorrhoids, colorectal cancer, or infections like diverticulitis. A healthcare provider should investigate these symptoms to make a diagnosis and recommend appropriate treatment, which might include a colonoscopy or stool sample analysis.
Step-by-step explanation:
Observing blood on the toilet paper and experiencing pain with defecation could indicate various health conditions. These symptoms are common in cases of hemorrhoids, which are swollen veins in your rectum or anus that can bleed and be painful during bowel movements. However, similar symptoms could also point towards more serious conditions such as colorectal cancer or diverticulitis. Colorectal cancer signs include changes in bowel habits like constipation or diarrhea, abdominal pain, and rectal bleeding which can be apparent or hidden. The occurrence of polyps can lead to cancer, hence the recommendation of a colonoscopy for adults over 50 to detect and remove them.
Other causes might include gastrointestinal infections, which may present with additional symptoms like fever, abdominal pain, and sometimes blood in the stool. It is crucial to consult a healthcare provider for a proper diagnosis and treatment. The provider may order tests such as fecal occult blood tests or a stool sample analysis to detect bleeding and identify any possible infectious agents responsible for the symptoms. Treatment will depend on the underlying cause, which is why an accurate diagnosis is essential.