Seeing blood in your stool can definitely set off alarm bells. Here's what you need to know about possible causes and when to see a doctor.

Inflammation is the body's nonspecific response to a wide variety of abnormalities. The inflammatory response includes increased blood flow through and leakiness of the blood vessels at the site of the abnormality. White blood cells enter the site and attack the provocative agents.

Numerous diseases are associated with the ascending colon. According to the U.S.

Feces color is one indicator of the health of your digestive system. Normal stool is typically brown -- a result of old blood cells being broken down into a substance known as bilirubin, released by the liver through bile production into the intestines.