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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How is GI bleeding diagnosed?
A doctor will perform a complete history and physical exam to evaluate your problem. The physical will include a digital rectal exam, to test for visible or microscopic blood from your rectum. The doctor may need to insert a tube through your nose into your stomach to help identify the source of the bleeding. The procedure is called endoscopy. An endoscope is a long tube with a tiny camera on the end. It may be passed through the nose into the stomach, or through the rectum into the colon, to directly see the source of bleeding. Endoscopy can be both diagnostic, finding the source of bleeding, and therapeutic, stopping it. Lab tests also can be helpful to determine the rate or severity of bleeding and to determine factors that may contribute to the problem. |
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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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