DEAR DR. ROACH: After a capsule endoscopy for unexplained chronic diarrhea and gastrointestinal bleeding, I was told that I most likely have an arteriovenous malformation in my small intestine. Since diagnosis, getting further help with this has been frustrating. Some doctors have suggested that the diarrhea and pain could be vascular-related, while others dismiss that idea. Several times over the years, I have worked in the cramped crawlspace under my house, and subsequently each time had some of my worst episodes ever of bloody diarrhea the next day.

One doctor suggested that intermittent bleeding from the AVM could cause diarrhea due to blood acting as a cathartic agent. Is this possible? Can blood act as a laxative? — A.S.

ANSWER: An arteriovenous malformation is a direct connection between an artery and a vein. These can occur in many places in the body (the brain being probably the most dangerous), but the small intestine is a common site. The usual symptoms of an AVM in the intestine are visible bleeding (bloody or dark bowel movements) or symptoms of anemia (fatigue, inability to exercise normally, being pale). Diarrhea and pain are decidedly uncommon. I am not at all convinced that the AVM (which often are found incidentally, in people with no symptoms) is the cause of the bloody diarrhea. It may be unrelated.

It is certainly true that a large amount of blood acts as a cathartic. This is important because a very large amount of bleeding in the stomach, despite having traveled the remainder of the digestive system, sometimes can still look just like blood when it comes out. This can fool the person (and the unwary doctor) into thinking that the source of the bleeding is in the colon. However, I have never heard of an AVM bleeding briskly enough to do that, though I suppose it is possible.

Your anecdote about the crawlspace exercise one day and bleeding the next day makes me concerned about a separate diagnosis: ischemic colitis. This is a common cause of moderate GI bleeding and cramping pain, most often in older adults, often happening after exercise. The diagnosis needs to be considered when the bleeding occurs, as the appearance of the colon can rapidly improve.

DR. ROACH WRITES: A recent column on removing grease from the hands generated some responses from readers. Several people wrote to include a mild abrasive, such as sugar or coffee grounds, in soap. I find that commercial products, such as GOJO or Fast Orange, work well.

A wound-care specialist pointed out that I commented only on hand cleaning and degreasing, and not about taking care of cuts and abrasions. Once the hands are cleaned and degreased, cuts should be bandaged. I recommend using antibiotic ointments, as they protect the wound. Never use harsh soaps or hydrogen peroxide on an open wound, as it damages the healthy regenerating tissue more than any bacteria that might be there.

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Dr. Roach regrets that he is unable to answer individual letters, but will incorporate them in the column whenever possible. Readers may email questions to ToYourGoodHealth@med.cornell.edu or request an order form of available health newsletters at 628 Virginia Dr., Orlando, FL 32803. Health newsletters may be ordered from www.rbmamall.com.

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