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)
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
There are many causes for GI bleeding which include ulcers (peptic ulcer disease), inflammation and cancer. Medications such as NSAID painkillers are 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.