Noticing bloody or maroon-colored stool (poop) is alarming, and it may come on suddenly. The first step to determining the cause is thinking back on what you’ve recently had to eat. Reasons for bloody ...

Blood in the stool is often caused by hemorrhoids, but it can also be a sign of more serious conditions like cancer. Contact a healthcare provider if you find blood in your stool, as it is not normal.

In some people, certain foods may irritate the intestines, which can cause bloody stools. In other cases, underlying health conditions, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), can cause blood in the ...

Roshini Raj, MD, is Health's former magazine's medical editor and coauthor of What the Yuck?!. Board-certified in gastroenterology and internal medicine, Dr. Raj is a Clinical Associate Professor of ...

Stool color is a topic you may be hesitant or embarrassed to discuss with your healthcare provider. Most people have what they consider to be a range of normal stool colors. But when things look ...