Gastrointestinal bleeding (patient information)
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Kalsang Dolma, M.B.B.S.[2] Assistant Editor-in-Chief: Meagan E. Doherty
Overview
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding refers to any bleeding that starts in the gastrointestinal tract.
Bleeding may come from any site along the GI tract, but is often divided into:
- Upper GI bleeding: The upper GI tract includes the esophagus (the tube from the mouth to the stomach), stomach, and first part of the small intestine.
- Lower GI bleeding: The lower GI tract includes much of the small intestine, large intestine or bowels, rectum, and anus.
What are the symptoms of Gastrointestinal bleeding?
The amount of GI bleeding may be so small that it can only be detected on a lab test such as the fecal occult blood test. Other signs of GI bleeding include:
- Dark, tarry stools
- Larger amounts of blood passed from the rectum
- Small amounts of blood in the toilet bowl, on toilet paper, or in streaks on stool (feces)
- Vomiting blood
Massive bleeding from the GI tract can be dangerous. However, even very small amounts of bleeding that occur over a long period of time can lead to problems such as anemia or low blood counts.
Once a bleeding site is found, many therapies are available to stop the bleeding or treat the cause.
What causes Gastrointestinal bleeding?
GI bleeding may be due to conditions that are not serious, including:
However, GI bleeding may also be a sign of more serious diseases and conditions, such as the following cancers of the GI tract:
- Cancer of the colon
- Cancer of the small intestine
- Cancer of the stomach
- Intestinal polyps (a pre-cancerous condition)
Other possible causes of GI bleeding include:
- Abnormal blood vessels in the lining of the intestines (also called angiodysplasias)
- Bleeding diverticulum, or diverticulosis
- Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
- Esophageal varices
- Esophagitis
- Gastric (stomach) ulcer
- Intussusception (bowel telescoped on itself)
- Mallory-Weiss tear
- Meckel's diverticulum
- Radiation injury to the bowel
Who is at highest risk?
Call for an appointment with your doctor if:
- You have black, tarry stools (this may be a sign of GI bleeding)
- You have blood in your stool
- You vomit blood or you vomit material that looks like coffee grounds
Diagnosis
GI bleeding is diagnosed by a doctor -- you may or may not be aware of its presence.
There are home stool tests for microscopic blood that may be recommended for people with anemia or for colon cancer screening.
You will also be asked questions about your symptoms, including:
- When did you first notice symptoms?
- Did you have black, tarry stools or red blood in the stools?
- Have you vomited blood?
- Did you vomit material that looks like coffee grounds?
- Do you have a history of peptic or duodenal ulcers?
- Have you ever had symptoms like this before?
- What other symptoms do you have?
Tests that may be done to find the source of the bleeding include:
- Abdominal CT scan
- Abdominal MRI scan
- Abdominal x-ray
- Angiography
- Bleeding scan (tagged red blood cell scan)
- Blood clotting tests
- Capsule endoscopy (camera pill that is swallowed to look at the small intestine)
- Colonoscopy
- Complete blood count (CBC), clotting tests, platelet count, and other laboratory tests
- Enteroscopy
- Sigmoidoscopy
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call for an appointment with your doctor if:
- You have black, tarry stools (this may be a sign of GI bleeding)
- You have blood in your stool
- You vomit blood or you vomit material that looks like coffee grounds
Treatment options
GI bleeding can be an emergency condition requiring immediate medical attention. Treatment may involve:
- Blood transfusions
- Fluids and medicines through a vein
- Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD) - a thin tube with a camera on the end is passed through your mouth into your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine
- A tube is placed through your mouth into the stomach to drain the stomach contents (gastric lavage)
Once your condition is stable, you will have a physical examination, including a detailed abdominal examination.
Where to find medical care for Gastrointestinal bleeding?
Directions to Hospitals Treating Gastrointestinal bleeding