GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDING

Luba Palyukh

Gastrointestinal Bleeding may cause… Hemorrhoids Peptic ulcers Tears or inflammation in the esophagus Diverticulosis and diverticulitis Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease Colonic polypsCancer in the colon,

stomach or esophagus

Symptoms Include…

Fatigue Weakness Shortness of breath Abdominal pain Pale appearance Vomiting of blood usually originates from an

upper GI source. Bright red or maroon stool can be from either a lower GI source or from brisk bleeding at an upper GI source.

Long-term GI bleeding may go unnoticed or may cause fatigue, anemia, black stools, or a positive test for microscopic blood.

Tests that can be done to check for Gastrointestinal Bleeding

An endoscopy is a procedure that would consist of inserting a tube through your nose into your stomach to help find the source of the bleeding.

An endoscope is a long tube with a tiny camera on the end.

Lab tests can be done to examine the feces to determine the rate of severity of bleeding.

Any presence of blood in the stool or the upper gastrointestinal tract is significant and needs medical investigation. Black or dark stools may represent slow bleeding into the GI tract and should be investigated by a physician.

Treatment for GI bleeding are…

There is no treatment that could be done at home for gastrointestinal bleeding.

Seek hospital’s emergency department. If the gastrointestinal bleeding leads to hemorrhoids or anal

fissures, eat a diet high in fiber and fluids to keep stools soft. In some cases you may need surgery. Barium X- rays, in general, are less accurate than endoscopy

in locating bleeding sites. Digital rectal exam (DRE): An exam to detect abnormalities

that can be felt (palpated) from within the rectum. The doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum and feels for anything that is not normal.

Precautions

Any presence of blood in the stool or the upper gastrointestinal tract is significant and needs medical investigation. Black or dark stools may represent slow bleeding into the GI tract and should be investigated by a physician.

Prognosis

This condition is able to be treated but if not found early it may cause problems.

This depends on the location of the site of bleeding.

Complications

Anemia-refers to a low red blood cell count

Dehydration Chest pain - if there is also heart disease Blood loss Shock Death

Preventions

There is NONE. But if the bleeding is found early it can

be dealt with with no complications.

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