All about gastrointestinal bleeding  causes of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding symptoms of GI bleeding diagnosis of GI bleeding treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding Articles in emergencies of digestive system - appendicitis gastrointestinal bleeding rectal bleeding ileus peritonitis |
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What causes gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding?
Infections, some medicines, and alcohol can damage tissue in the GI tract and produce bleeding. So can growths or the swollen pockets that sometimes form in the walls of the intestines. Blood vessels that are not formed correctly also can bleed. The most common cause of an upper GI bleed is an ulceration that could occur in the duodenum (just beyond the stomach), or in the stomach lining itself or the esophagus. Esophageal varices, or varicose veins, are usually the result of underlying chronic liver disease like cirrhosis and these can often bleed very briskly. A tear at the junction of the esophagus and stomach sometimes also occurs as a result of repeated vomiting or retching. In addition, tumors or cancers of the esophagus or stomach can also present with bleeding. The most common cause of bleeding from the lower GI tract or colon is diverticulosis. This accounts for over 40 percent of these cases. If diverticular disease is not found, then a patient could have an angiodysplasia which is a tiny blood vessel lining the colon that sometimes can bleed briskly or ooze chronically. Colon cancers or colon polyps might also produce lower GI bleeding as well as different causes for colitis. Colitis is an inflammation or ulceration of the lining of the colon that could be due to ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, radiation therapy, or poor circulation to the colon itself. |
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More information on gastrointestinal bleeding
What is gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding? - Gastointestinal (GI) bleeding describes any blood loss that occurs through the digestive tract. Bleeding may occur anywhere along the digestive tract.
What causes gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding? - The most common cause of an upper GI bleed is an ulceration that could occur in the duodenum, or in the stomach lining itself or the esophagus.
What are the symptoms of GI bleeding? - Among the common signs of gastrointestinal bleeding are vomit that contains dark specks or blood, and bloody or black, sticky stools.
How is GI bleeding diagnosed? - Endoscopy can be both diagnostic, finding the source of bleeding, and therapeutic, stopping it.
What is the treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding? - Those with heavy bleeding may need blood transfusions. A variety of endoscopic therapies are useful for the patient with GI tract bleeding. |
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