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Gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by various medical conditions and can range in severity. Symptoms include abdominal discomfort, fatigue, and rectal bleeding. Treatment depends on the cause and can range from dietary changes to surgery. If left untreated, it can be fatal. Diagnostic tests include imaging and blood tests.
The presence of blood loss along the gastrointestinal (GI) tract is a condition known as GI bleeding. Associated with a variety of potentially serious medical conditions, gastrointestinal bleeding can occur to varying degrees depending on the location and cause of the bleeding. Treatment for symptomatic individuals depends on several factors and can range from dietary changes to surgery. If left untreated, gastrointestinal bleeding can be fatal.
There are a variety of medical conditions that can contribute to the development of gastrointestinal bleeding. The presence of ulcers and fissures, or tears, affecting the delicate membranous tissues is most commonly associated with bleeding along the gastrointestinal tract. Certain infections, congenital conditions, and organ perforations can also contribute to the development of blood loss. Individuals who have been diagnosed with certain types of cancer, 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 gastrointestinal bleeding can serve as an indicator that an undiagnosed medical condition is present.
Some people with gastrointestinal bleeding remain asymptomatic due to the microscopic nature of its presence, meaning it may not be seen without the help of a microscope. When gastrointestinal bleeding is microscopic, it may go unnoticed until the individual begins to experience symptoms. Most cases of microscopic gastrointestinal bleeding are detected through the administration of diagnostic tests, including analysis of the stool sample, confirming or ruling out the presence of another condition.
Depending on the reason for the blood loss, individuals can develop different signs and symptoms. In most cases, the blood will be flushed out of the body through vomit or, more commonly, stool and present with obvious discoloration. Some people experience abdominal distension and discomfort, nausea, and constipation during the early stages of gastrointestinal bleeding. Others may develop symptoms that include fatigue and unintentional weight loss. Severe gastrointestinal bleeding can also induce rectal bleeding which occurs in the absence of defecation.
If left untreated, gastrointestinal bleeding can worsen and lead to the development of life-threatening complications. Although most cases of mild GI bleeding are induced by dietary disruption or other temporary factors and resolve without treatment, acute to severe GI bleeding cases can lead to dehydration, vomiting of blood, and anemia. Those who experience severe bleeding and do not receive timely and appropriate treatment may go into shock or die.
There are several diagnostic tests that can be administered to determine the source of moderate to severe gastrointestinal bleeding. After an initial physical exam, a series of imaging tests focusing on the gastrointestinal tract, including a computed tomography (CT) scan and an X-ray, may be ordered. Blood tests may also be administered to evaluate blood cell and platelet counts and detect the presence of any abnormalities or distinguishing markers indicative of certain conditions, such as anemia.
Treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding depends entirely on the cause of the bleeding and the individual’s overall health. 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 complex measures can be taken, often requiring hospitalization and may include surgery to stop the bleeding and blood transfusions.
