ABC of colorectal diseases. Lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage.

Diverticular disease Angiodysplasia Adenomatous polyps Carcinoma Ischaemic colitis Inflammatory bowel disease Radiation proctitis Bleeding from the lower gastrointestinal tract is a common clinical problem in both general and hospital practice. Patients are alarmed when they pass blood, but most have minor anorectal disorders thait can be investigated and treated on an outpatient or day case basis. A smaller proportion have colorectal neoplasia, inflammatory bowel disease, or profuse life threatening haemorrhage. Lower gastrointestinal haemorrhage affects people of all ages, though the aetiology varies in different age groups.