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 are the signs and symptoms of GI bleeding?
Mild cases of bleeding may cause no symptoms at all. When symptoms are present, they are related to the cause of blood loss, as well as the amount and location of the blood loss. Among the common signs of gastrointestinal bleeding are vomit that contains dark specks or blood, and bloody or black, sticky stools. Other signs include dry mouth, thirst, urinating less than usual--or not urinating at all. In some cases, additional symptoms may result from other illnesses or medicines. For example, someone with heart disease could have chest pain as a result of blood loss from GI bleeding. If you experience dizziness; confusion; low blood pressure; and fast heart rate and breathing, you may be going into shock from excessive blood loss. People with long-term bleeding that tends to occur in small amounts or intermittently may develop symptoms of anemia, such as tiring easily and looking unnaturally pale. In the absence of such symptoms, a doctor may be able to detect an abnormal drop in blood pressure when a person sits or stands up after lying down. Symptoms indicating a serious and sudden blood loss include a rapid pulse rate, low blood pressure, and reduced urine flow. A person may also have cold, clammy hands and feet. The reduced supply of blood to the brain caused by the bleeding may lead to confusion, disorientation, sleepiness, and even shock. |
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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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