While gastrointestinal bleeding itself is not a disease, it can be a symptom of several digestive system disorders such as reflux, ulcers, or cancer. This refers to any loss of blood from your gastrointestinal (GI) tract that can be a critical condition requiring medical intervention. The signs of gastrointestinal bleeding are often visible (overt) or occult (undetectable to the naked eye). Understanding the necessity of a gastrointestinal bleeding hospital visit is essential to prevent further deterioration. In this blog, we will help you get insights into gastrointestinal bleeding, its causes, and when you should visit the hospital for treatment.
Also Read: When to Consult a Gastroenterologist in Siliguri vs. Trying Home Remedies
An Overview of Gastrointestinal (GI) Bleeding
Your gastrointestinal (GI) or digestive system comprises the oesophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum. GI bleeding can occur in any of these organs that run from your mouth to your anus. There is a distinction to be made between Upper GI Bleeding and Lower GI Bleeding. These bleedings are usually marked by bright red colour like fresh blood, or they may be of larger volume and maroon or black in colour. The severity of this bleeding may range from acute to chronic and can turn fatal in severe cases. Patients may see blood on the toilet paper after wiping or small drops of blood in the toilet bowl. Often, it may contain blood clots as well. Blood can be seen in stool or when spitting up. In case the blood is not visible, faeces may appear black or tarry. Your physician may identify the cause of bleeding based on the volume, colour, and associated symptoms like abdominal pain, which can be important details to understand the condition.
Know the Causes of GI Bleeding
Haemorrhoids: Both external and internal haemorrhoids can cause GI bleeding, typically small in volume and bright red in colour, and often related to defecation.
Anal Fissures: This causes GI bleeding that is also marked by small volume and bright red colour. But this bleeding is associated with a very painful passage of stool through the anal canal. Both hemorrhoidal and anal bleeding can occur at any stage.
Diverticulosis: This is more common in patients over the age of 50, and the bleeding is marked by large volume and bright red or maroon stools and is not linked to abdominal pain.
Colitis: This condition refers to inflammation of the colon, and colitis is a generic term for it, caused by viral or bacterial infections, ischemia or inflammatory bowel disease or Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis. This leads to GI bleeding that may vary in quantity and colour, most often described as amroon or bright red. Patients may also notice mucus and experience abdominal pain.
Polyps and Colorectal Cancers: The bleeding can be bright red, maroon, or black in colour based on the locations and is not associated with abdominal pain.
Arterovenous Malformation(AVMs): This condition involves a benign little blood vessel on the surface of the intestine, and the bleeding may not be visible, meaning occult.
Ulcers: GI bleeding due to ulcers typically results in black stools and may be linked to upper abdominal pain or nausea.
Learn the Key Symptoms of GI Bleeding
The symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding can be categorised into two types: one is evident, and the other is underlying or concealed. The signs of GI bleeding are mostly defined by the location, as the GI system spreads from the mouth to the anus. The patient can experience gastrointestinal bleeding at any time, at any stage. Here are the symptoms of GI bleeding :
Overt or Visible Symptoms
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Blood in vomit
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Changes in stool, such as bright red blood in stool, or black, tarry stools, foul-smelling stools
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Presence of mucus in stool
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Rectum Bleeding
Occult or Underlying Symptoms
- Shortness of Breath
- Dizziness along with lightheadedness
- Pain in the chest
- Abdominal Pain
- Fainting
Symptoms of Shock
If GI bleeding occurs suddenly and worsens rapidly, it can leave you in shock, and the symptoms include:
- Weakness or fatigue
- Fainting or dizziness
- Cool, sweaty, or pale skin
- Nausea or vomiting
- Absence of urination or urinating a little at a time
- Visible tinge of grey or blue on lips and fingernails
- Changes in mental health or behaviour, like anxiety or agitation
- Unconsciousness
- Rapid heartrate
- Fast Breathing
- Sudden drop in blood pressure
- Enlarged pupils
When to Visit the Hospital or See a Doctor
While gastrointestinal bleeding stops on its own, it can persist, and treatment is determined by the location of bleeding. However, the onset of GI bleeding, which can be marked by shock, tarry stool or bloody vomit, is the ideal time to seek care from a gastroenterologist. Patients should not wait for conditions or symptoms to worsen and should act immediately for treatment. People with a history of medical conditions are more likely to experience GI bleeding. Additionally, old age is also a primary contributing factor to this condition, leading to extended recovery time. Whether overt or occult, the condition of gastrointestinal bleeding needs to be evaluated clinically by a professional, as it may represent a serious underlying condition. Bleeding that is marked by a larger volume, frequent black or maroon colour, and symptoms like abdominal pain or nausea calls for an urgent visit to the hospital and immediate evaluation of the condition. It is important to remember that GI bleeding can indicate a fatal disease, and emergency medical care is inevitable in some cases.
Conclusion,
It is essential to share all information with your healthcare provider about your GI bleeding. They may conduct various tests on you, such as an upper endoscopy, colonoscopy, a blood test, a stool test, and angiography, an imaging test to identify the cause and begin the treatment, and may recommend you take preventive measures to support the treatment. You can consult Dr Pinakee Sunder Kar, a renowned gastroenterologist in Siliguri, to address any gastrointestinal concerns with efficient care.
