Conditions/Disease

Gastrointestinal bleeding

What is Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

Bleeding may occur from any point in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) and is broadly divided into bleeding from:

  • Upper GI tract (oesophagus / stomach / duodenum)
  • Small bowel
  • Lower GI tract (colon)
Gastrointestinal bleeding

Generally, it is more common from the upper GI tract. GI Bleeding may present in numerous ways including:

  • Vomiting blood (haematemesis)
  • Fresh rectal bleeding
  • Passage of dark / altered stools (melaena)
  • Anaemia

Causes & Investigations

There are many causes for GI bleeding which include ulcers (peptic ulcer disease), inflammation and cancer. Medications such as NSAID painkillers can also cause inflammation and ulceration. Endoscopic investigations are used to investigate and treat bleeding. The main procedures are:

Gastroscopy
Small Bowel Video Capsule Endoscopy
Colonoscopy

If you are worried about GI bleeding, you can book a consultation with Dr Goel to discuss investigation and treatment options best suited to you.

© R Goel

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