Gastrointestinal bleeding

What is gastrointestinal bleeding?

GI bleeding is bleeding that occurs in the digestive tract. It can be high if it occurs in the esophagus, stomach or at the beginning of the small intestine or low if it occurs in the rest of the small intestine, large intestine, rectum or anus.

Prognosis of the disease

No specific prognosis can be established. Depending on the situation in which the patient finds himself, his prognosis can be assessed.

On the other hand, men are twice as likely as women to have gastrointestinal bleeding.

What are the symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding?

It can be detected by the presence of blood in the stool, although other symptoms may be present:

  • Dark, tarry stools
  • Larger amounts of blood coming out of the rectum
  • Vomiting blood

Medical tests for gastrointestinal bleeding

Initially the specialist will determine the site of the bleeding based on the patient’s medical history, including medications taken and family history, a physical examination and diagnostic tests.

Some of the diagnostic tests that may be performed are:

  • Laboratory tests: blood tests or stool tests.
  • Gastric lavage or gastric suction.
  • Endoscopy: gastrointestinal endoscopy, enteroscopy, capsule endoscopy, colonoscopy or flexible sigmoidoscopy).
  • Imaging tests: abdominal computed tomography, angiogram or radionuclide scan.
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What are the causes of gastrointestinal bleeding?

It may be due to conditions that are not serious, such as anal fissure or hemorrhoids, but it may also be a sign of more serious diseases, including:

  • Colon cancer
  • Stomach cancer
  • Small bowel cancer
  • Intestinal polyps (precancerous condition).

Other causes may be diverticulosis, esophageal varices, Crohn’s disease, Mallory-Weiss tear, esophagitis, gastric ulcer, angiodysplasia, among others.

Can it be prevented?

Patients can prevent some of the causes of bleeding in the digestive tract by limiting the amount of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs they take or by consulting with their health care professional about other medication options, following the physician’s recommendations for the treatment of gastroesophageal reflux.

How is GI bleeding treated?

Gastrointestinal bleeding may require immediate primary care. Emergency treatment may involve:

  • Blood transfusions.
  • Intravenous fluids and medications.
  • Esophagogastroduodenoscopy (EGD), i.e., placing a thin tube with a camera on the end through the mouth into the esophagus, stomach and small intestine.
  • Gastric lavage, i.e. placing a tube into the stomach to empty the contents.

Once the condition is stabilized, a physical examination and a detailed examination of the abdomen is performed.

What specialist treats you?

Digestive tract specialists are in charge of studying and treating gastrointestinal bleeding problems.