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. The doctor may need to insert a tube through your nose into your stomach to help identify the source of the bleeding. The procedure is called endoscopy. An endoscope is a long tube with a tiny camera on the end. It may be passed through the nose into the stomach, or through the rectum into the colon, to directly see the source of bleeding. Endoscopy can be both diagnostic, finding the source of bleeding, and therapeutic, stopping it. Lab tests also can be helpful to determine the rate or severity of bleeding and to determine factors that may contribute to the problem.

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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