We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Health

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

By J.M. Willhite
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 13,695
Share

The presence of blood loss along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a condition known as gastrointestinal bleeding. Associated with a variety of potentially serious medical conditions, gastrointestinal bleeding may occur to varying degrees depending entirely on the location and cause of the bleeding. Treatment for symptomatic individuals is dependent on several factors and may range from dietary changes to surgery. If left untreated, GI bleeding can be fatal.

There are a variety of medical conditions that may contribute to the development of gastrointestinal bleeding. The presence of ulcers and fissures, or tears, affecting delicate membranous tissues are most commonly associated with bleeding along the GI tract. Certain infections, congenital conditions, and organ perforations may also contribute to the development of blood loss. Individuals diagnosed with certain cancers, including those affecting the digestive system, and conditions affecting the digestive tract, such as Crohn’s disease, may become symptomatic. In some cases, the development of GI bleeding may serve as an indicator of the presence of an undiagnosed medical condition.

Some people with GI bleeding remain asymptomatic due to the microscopic nature of its presence, meaning it may not be seen without the aid of a microscope. When the GI bleeding is microscopic it may remain undetected until the individual begins to present with symptoms. Most cases of microscopic gastrointestinal bleeding are detected through the administration of diagnostic testing, including stool sample analysis, while confirming or ruling out the presence of another condition.

Depending on the reason for the blood loss, individuals may develop several signs and symptoms. In most cases, blood will be expelled from the body either through vomit or, most commonly, stool and present with obvious discoloration. Some people experience abdominal distention and discomfort, nausea, and constipation during the early stages of gastrointestinal bleeding. Others may develop symptoms that include fatigue and unintended weight loss. Severe GI bleeding may also induce rectal bleeding that occurs in the absence of defecation.

If left untreated, gastrointestinal bleeding may worsen and result in the development of life-threatening complications. Though most cases of mild gastrointestinal bleeding are induced by dietary disruption, or other temporary factor, and subside without treatment, acute to severe cases of GI bleeding can lead to dehydration, vomiting blood, and anemia. Those who experience severe bleeding and do not receive appropriate and prompt treatment may go into shock or die.

There are several diagnostic tests that may be administered to determine the source of moderate to severe gastrointestinal bleeding. Following an initial physical examination, a battery of imaging tests focusing on the gastrointestinal tract may be ordered, including a computerized tomography (CT) scan and X-ray. Blood tests may also be administered to evaluate blood cell and platelet counts and detect the presence of any abnormalities or distinctive markers indicative of certain conditions, such as anemia.

Treatment for GI bleeding is entirely dependent on the cause of the bleeding and the overall health of the individual. In most cases, treatment is fairly simplistic in approach, involving recommendations for changes to one's diet and lifestyle, and, sometimes, medications may be prescribed. When traditional approaches to treatment prove ineffective, more intricate measures may be taken, often requiring hospitalization, and may include surgery to stop the bleeding and blood transfusions.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By Lostnfound — On Jan 28, 2015

@Grivusangel -- Sounds familiar. My sister was actually having GI bleeding and was vomiting up what looked like coffee grounds. I pretty much bullied her into going to the ER. They did all the scans and determined she had a bleeding ulcer.

She's fine now, but the GI bleeding was definitely a problem. She had become mildly anemic. The doctor said it was a slow bleed.

A guy I work with has Crohn's Disease and had a perforation in his stomach and nearly bled out in the hospital. It was a close, close call. You can't play around with this stuff.

By Grivusangel — On Jan 27, 2015

My mom had this. She decided that taking aspirin and ibuprofen together relieved her arthritis pain. Unfortunately, it also caused gastrointestinal bleeding. This is what happens when someone works for a doctor for years and years: they think they know as much as the docs do.

She ended up having to have three units of blood and an endoscopy for her trouble. Until the GI doc came in and said, "Look here. You can't combine aspirin and ibuprofen, period," she wouldn't believe that was what caused her problems. Well, she wouldn't admit it-- let's put it that way. She knew she had screwed up. She just didn't want to own up to it.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-gastrointestinal-bleeding.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.