A fecal occult blood test, or FOBT, screens for non-visible amounts of blood in the stool which can be indicative of a variety of medical conditions. Causes of blood in the stool may be related to anything from medications, minor ailments, or even cancer. Particularly important for individuals in their 50's and beyond, FOBT's can identify causes of blood in the stool and lead to earlier diagnosis for effective treatment.
Some causes of blood in the stool:
Colorectal cancer - the second cause of cancer-related deaths leading to approximately 50 thousand deaths annually.
Hemorrhoids - internal or external swelling of the veins in the anus.
Anal Fissures - small tears occurring anywhere between the anal sphincter and the throughout the anal canal.
Colon Polyps - small growths of tissue occurring inside the colon with a mushroom like shape featuring a stem and rounded top.
Peptic Ulcers - sores that develop from excessive or unchecked gastric juices building up in the stomach and eating away at the digestive tract.
Ulcerative Colitis - variety of Inflammatory Bowel Disease that results in the enlargement and occurrence of sores in the colon and rectum.
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease - reverse flow of food, gastric juices, and stomach acids upward into the esophagus.
Crohn's Disease - a variety of Inflammatory Bowel Disease resulting in the enlargement and occurrence of sores and ulcers affecting the deep layers of the digestive tract.
Aspirin and NSAID's - medications that reduce prostaglandins, the natural chemicals that reduce inflammation, pain, and fever that are also responsible for protecting the stomach lining and aiding in blood clotting.
Early identification of causes of blood in the stool can enable more effective treatment options.There are a variety of home and laboratory testing methods available to make identification accessible.
Shop online for the most accurate and cost effective fecal occult blood tests or call to speak with a trained representative for more information today at 1-888-687-4334.