Gastro-Intestinal Bleeding

Gastro-Intestinal Bleeding / GI Bleed is often quite serious and can be life-threatening.

A. What are the symptoms of GI Bleed?

The symptoms of GI Bleed include: 

1. Vomiting of blood or coffee-ground vomiting
2. Black tarry stool
3. Fresh bleeding through the rectum

However, some people with GI Bleed may not have any symptoms. Suddenly feeling very weak, light-headed with a racing heartbeat and abdominal pain may be a manifestation of GI Bleed.

B. What are the causes of GI Bleed?

The causes of GI Bleed are:

1. Stomach or small intestinal ulcer
2. Varices that can happen due to cirrhosis of the liver
3. Inflammatory bowel disease/colitis
4. Any cancer of the GI tract or any polyp in the GI tract
5. Haemorrhoids

C. Is there a test for GI Bleed?

1. If GI Bleed is suspected, usually a blood test is done
2. Upper GI endoscopy, colonoscopy, or CT scan of the abdomen may be necessary

D. Who needs hospital admission for GI Bleed?

1. If anyone is vomiting blood needs admission
2. If anyone has got low blood pressure with a high pulse rate and signs of GI Bleed will need admission
3. Anyone with severe abdominal pain may need admission

E. Treatment of GI bleed:

Usually on admission patients are treated with oxygen, and IV fluid, they may need a blood transfusion, they may also need injections to stop bleeding and they often need urgent endoscopy.

F. Can GI Bleed be prevented?

1. Yes, in certain cases, GI Bleed can be prevented
2. It is best to avoid regular pain killers to prevent ulcer formation
3. In cirrhotic patients' endoscopy and variceal banding prevents GI Bleed