Hematochezia is a medical term used to describe the presence of blood in the stools. However, there are other terms that can be used interchangeably with hematochezia. These synonyms include bloody diarrhea, rectal bleeding, and fresh blood in the stools. In addition, melena, which is the presence of dark, tarry stools, can be confused with hematochezia, but it actually indicates upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It's important to note that the presence of blood in the stools can be a sign of a serious medical condition, such as ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, or colon cancer, and individuals who experience any form of rectal bleeding should seek medical attention immediately.