What does 'occult blood' refer to?

'Occult blood' refers to hidden or unseen blood that is not visible to the naked eye. This term is commonly used in medical contexts, particularly in laboratory testing, where samples such as stool or urine are analyzed to detect the presence of blood that may indicate underlying health issues, such as gastrointestinal bleeding or other disorders. Identifying occult blood can be crucial for diagnosis since it can be a sign of serious medical conditions that require further investigation. Regular assessments for occult blood are often performed as part of routine health evaluations or to monitor specific health conditions.