Symptom 8: Bloody or Pus-filled Stool
No one expects a horror show when they glance into the toilet bowl. Yet, for those grappling with toxic megacolon, the sight can be deeply unsettling. Blood or pus in the stool isn’t just unusual; it’s a severe symptom pointing towards significant internal distress.
Blood in the stool can range in appearance from bright red streaks to a dark, tarry consistency. The former usually indicates bleeding in the lower part of the digestive tract, while the latter might suggest bleeding further up. Either way, it’s an undeniable sign of internal injury or rupture.
Pus, a thick, yellowish-white fluid, is a collection of white blood cells, tissue debris, and bacteria. Its presence in the stool points towards an infection or an abscess in the digestive tract. It’s the body’s way of flagging a focal point of inflammation and possible bacterial invasion.
Alongside the visual signs, the presence of blood or pus in the stool can be accompanied by other symptoms. There might be an associated pain, a foul odor, or a general feeling of unwellness. Each of these amplifies the urgency of the situation. (8)
