Your Patient Is a 46-Year-Old Male Truck Driver Who Is

Your patient is a 46-year-old male truck driver who is sitting on a toilet complaining of bleeding with defecation. He states that he had to strain significantly to produce a bowel movement, then noted blood on his stool afterward. He claims no significant medical history, has had no recent illness, and takes no medications. You note the presence of bright red blood on the surface of his stool. Of the following, which is the most likely cause of his clinical condition?

A) Crohn's disease
B) Colitis
C) Upper GI bleed
D) Hemorrhoids