Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Problems with your digestive system (GI tract) can sometimes cause bleeding. This bleeding can be hidden or obvious. You might see blood in your stool (poop) or vomit. If the bleeding is in your stool, it might look black or very dark and sticky (tarry).

Bleeding can be a minor issue or very serious and even life-threatening. To figure out what's causing the bleeding, doctors might use imaging tests (like X-rays or scans) or a procedure called an endoscopy. An endoscopy uses a small, flexible tube with a camera on the end to look directly at the inside of your digestive tract.

The treatment for bleeding problems depends on where the bleeding is happening in your digestive system and how bad it is.

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding can show up in noticeable (overt) or hidden (occult) ways. How you feel depends on how fast the bleeding is happening and where it's happening in your digestive system, from your mouth to your anus.

Overt Bleeding: This is easy to spot. You might:

• Vomiting blood: This could be bright red or dark brown, like coffee grounds.
• Black, tarry stools: This is a dark, sticky stool.
• Rectal bleeding: Blood in or mixed with your stool.

Occult Bleeding: This is harder to notice. You might experience:

• Lightheadedness: Feeling dizzy or unsteady.
• Shortness of breath: Difficulty breathing.
• Fainting: Losing consciousness.
• Chest pain: Pain in your chest.
• Stomach pain: Pain in your abdomen.

Serious GI Bleeding: If bleeding happens suddenly and gets worse quickly, you could go into shock. Shock symptoms include:

• Weakness or tiredness: Feeling very drained.
• Dizziness or fainting: Loss of consciousness or near-loss of consciousness.
• Cool, clammy, pale skin: Your skin feels cold and may look pale.
• Nausea or vomiting: Feeling sick to your stomach.
• Decreased urination: Passing little or no urine.
• Bluish or grayish color to lips or fingernails: A change in skin color.
• Changes in mental state: Feeling anxious, confused, or agitated.
• Loss of consciousness: Passing out.
• Fast heartbeat: Your pulse races.
• Fast breathing: Your breathing becomes rapid.
• Low blood pressure: Your blood pressure drops.
• Large pupils: Your eyes' pupils become wider.

What to do: If you have any of these symptoms, especially those of shock, call 911 or your local emergency number immediately. If you're vomiting blood, see blood in your stool, or have black, tarry stools, seek immediate medical attention. Even if you only have mild symptoms, make an appointment with your doctor to get it checked out. Early diagnosis and treatment are crucial for preventing complications.

If you feel unwell and think you might be in shock, call 911 or your local emergency number right away. This is important, as shock is a serious medical condition. Shock can cause many symptoms, such as dizziness, weakness, rapid heartbeat, and difficulty breathing. Someone else should call if you aren't able to.

Also, if you're vomiting blood, notice blood in your bowel movements, or have dark, sticky stools, get immediate medical attention. These are signs of bleeding inside your digestive system, which is called gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding. GI bleeding can be dangerous and needs to be treated quickly.

If you have any other symptoms that might suggest GI bleeding, such as stomach pain, nausea, or feeling lightheaded, schedule a visit with your doctor. Early diagnosis and treatment of GI bleeding are crucial for a speedy recovery.

Problems with Bleeding in the Digestive System

Your digestive system, from your throat to your rectum, can experience bleeding problems. This bleeding can occur in the upper part (your esophagus, stomach, and small intestine) or the lower part (your large intestine, rectum, and anus). Let's look at some common causes.

Upper Digestive Tract Bleeding (above your stomach):

• Peptic Ulcers: These are sores that develop on the lining of your stomach or the upper part of your small intestine. They often happen when stomach acid damages the lining, sometimes due to bacteria or taking anti-inflammatory medicines like ibuprofen or aspirin.

• Tears in the Esophagus (Mallory-Weiss Tears): These tears in the tube connecting your throat to your stomach can happen when you forcefully vomit or retch, often from excessive alcohol use. This can lead to significant bleeding.

• Esophageal Varices: These are swollen veins in your esophagus. They're most common in people with serious liver disease, often from heavy drinking. This happens because blood flow to the liver is blocked, causing blood to back up into the veins in your esophagus.

• Liver Problems and the Digestive Tract: Conditions like portal hypertensive gastropathy (another liver-related problem) and esophagitis (inflammation of the esophagus) can also cause bleeding in the upper digestive tract, often related to liver disease.

• Other Causes: Sometimes abnormal blood vessels, growths (cancerous or not), or a hiatal hernia (a part of your stomach pushing up into your chest) can lead to bleeding in the upper digestive tract.

Lower Digestive Tract Bleeding (below your stomach):

• Diverticular Disease: This involves small pouches (diverticula) forming in your digestive tract. When these pouches become inflamed or infected (diverticulitis), it can cause bleeding.

• Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD): Conditions like ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease involve inflammation and sores in the lining of your digestive tract, potentially causing bleeding.

• Proctitis: Inflammation of the rectum can lead to bleeding from that area.

• Tumors: Cancerous or non-cancerous growths in the colon, rectum, stomach, or esophagus can weaken the lining and cause bleeding.

• Colon Polyps: These are small growths on the lining of your colon. Most are harmless, but some can be cancerous or have the potential to become cancerous.

• Hemorrhoids: Swollen veins in the anus or lower rectum can bleed. Similar to varicose veins elsewhere in the body, hemorrhoids can cause discomfort and bleeding.

• Anal Fissures: A small tear in the lining of the anus can cause bleeding and pain.

Important Note: Bleeding in the digestive system can range from mild to severe. If you experience any unusual bleeding, especially if it's persistent or accompanied by other symptoms like abdominal pain, vomiting blood, or dark, tarry stools, it's essential to see a doctor immediately. They can diagnose the cause and recommend appropriate treatment.

A gastrointestinal bleed, which is bleeding in the stomach or intestines, can have serious consequences. It can lead to a condition called anemia, where the body doesn't have enough red blood cells to carry oxygen properly. This can cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. A gastrointestinal bleed can also trigger shock, a life-threatening condition where the body's organs don't get enough blood flow. Symptoms of shock include rapid pulse, low blood pressure, and dizziness. In severe cases, a gastrointestinal bleed can be fatal.

To help avoid stomach bleeding:

• Cut back on pain relievers: Medicine like ibuprofen and naproxen can irritate your stomach lining. Using them less often can help prevent bleeding. If you need these medicines regularly for pain or inflammation, talk to your doctor about safer alternatives.

• Drink less alcohol: Alcohol can damage the lining of your stomach and intestines, increasing your risk of bleeding. Reducing your alcohol consumption can be a big help.

• Quit smoking if you smoke: Smoking weakens the lining of your digestive system, making it more vulnerable to bleeding. Quitting smoking is one of the best things you can do for your overall health, including your digestive health.

• Manage GERD properly: If you have Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease (GERD), it's crucial to follow your doctor's instructions carefully. GERD happens when stomach acid flows back into your esophagus, causing irritation. Treatment plans often involve lifestyle changes (like eating smaller meals and avoiding foods that trigger symptoms), medication, or other medical interventions. Following a plan to treat GERD will help avoid complications like bleeding.

Finding the Cause of Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, where blood is lost from the digestive tract, can have various causes. Doctors use a range of tests to pinpoint the source of the problem.

Gathering Information:

First, your doctor will take a detailed medical history, including any previous bleeding episodes, and conduct a physical examination. This helps them understand your overall health and potential risk factors.

Common Diagnostic Tests:

Several tests can help identify the source of GI bleeding.

• Blood Tests: These tests, such as a complete blood count (CBC), clotting time check, platelet count, and liver function tests, provide information about your blood's overall health and ability to clot. These are crucial to assess the severity of the bleeding and your overall health status.

• Stool Tests: Analyzing your stool samples can detect hidden (occult) blood, a sign of bleeding that isn't noticeable. This helps determine if bleeding is occurring somewhere in the digestive tract.

• Nasogastric Lavage: A tube is inserted through your nose into your stomach to drain stomach contents. This can help to visualize the source of bleeding and remove any obstructions.

• Upper Endoscopy: A thin, flexible tube with a tiny camera (endoscope) is inserted down your throat to examine your esophagus, stomach, and the beginning of your small intestine (duodenum). This allows doctors to directly view the area for bleeding or abnormalities.

• Colonoscopy: A similar flexible tube with a camera is inserted into your rectum to examine your entire large intestine and rectum. This helps determine if bleeding is originating from the colon.

• Capsule Endoscopy: You swallow a small capsule containing a camera. This capsule travels through your digestive system, taking pictures that are displayed on a monitor. This is helpful for viewing hard-to-reach areas of the small intestine.

• Flexible Sigmoidoscopy: A tube with a light and camera is inserted into your rectum to examine the rectum and the lower part of the large intestine (sigmoid colon). This is a less invasive way to look at these areas.

• Balloon-Assisted Enteroscopy: A specialized endoscope with a balloon is used to examine hard-to-reach areas of the small intestine. Sometimes, this test can allow doctors to stop the bleeding or treat the problem directly.

• Angiography: A contrast dye is injected into an artery, and X-rays are taken to pinpoint bleeding vessels or other issues. This is particularly helpful in identifying and treating bleeding blood vessels.

• Imaging Tests: Other imaging tests, such as a CT scan of your abdomen, can help visualize the digestive organs and identify any bleeding or other abnormalities.

Severe Bleeding:

If your GI bleeding is severe and other less invasive tests don't identify the source, surgery may be necessary to examine the entire small intestine. This is a less common situation, as most causes can be found with the initial testing.

Important Note: This information is for general knowledge and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health.