Rectal bleeding (also called hematochezia, meaning bright red blood in the stool) is a symptom of a problem in the digestive tract. Common causes of rectal bleeding include hemorrhoids, anal fissure, diverticulosis, infection, inflammation (IBD or irritable bowel disease, Crohn's disease, colitis), blood vessel problems (angiodysplasia). Other causes may include polyps, tumors, trauma, an upper gastrointestinal source like stomach ulcers, and Meckel's diverticulum (rare).