Gastrointestinal Bleeding
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- Gastrointestinal Bleeding Overview
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding Causes
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding Symptoms
- When to Seek Medical Care
- Exams and Tests
- Gastrointestinal Bleeding Treatment
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Gastrointestinal Bleeding Overview
The many causes of gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding are classified into upper or lower, depending on their location in the GI tract.
- Upper gastrointestinal bleeding: Upper GI bleeding originates in the first part of the GI tract-the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum (first part of the intestine). Bleeding can come from ingestion of caustic poisons or stomach cancer. Most often, upper GI bleeding is caused by one of the following:
- Peptic ulcers
- Gastritis
- Esophageal varices
- Mallory-Weiss tears
- Peptic ulcers
- Lower gastrointestinal bleeding: Lower GI bleeding originates in the portions of the GI tract farther down the digestive system-the segment of the small intestine farther from the stomach, large intestine, rectum, and anus. Diverticular disease, angiodysplasia, polyps, hemorrhoids, and anal fissures most commonly cause the bleeding. Blood in the stool can result from cancers, inflammatory bowel disease, and infectious diarrhea.
Next: Gastrointestinal Bleeding Causes »
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Gastrointestinal Bleeding
Peptic Ulcers Overview
In the digestive system, an ulcer is an area where tissue has been destroyed by gastric juices and stomach acid. Peptic ulcer disease is a general term for ulcers that occur in the stomach or duodenum (upper part of the small intestine).
- A peptic ulcer is an erosion or sore in the wall of the gastrointestinal tract.
- The mucous membrane lining the digestive tract erodes and causes a gradual breakdown of tissue.
- This breakdown causes a gnawing or burning pain in the upper middle part of the belly (abdomen).
- Although most peptic ulcers are small, they can cause a considerable amount of discomfort.
Peptic ulcers are a very common condition in the United States and throughout the world.
- In the United States, an estimated 25 million people will suffer an ulcer at some point. That's 1 in 10 people.
- Ab...
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Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding »
Acute gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding is a potentially life-threatening abdominal emergency that remains a common cause of hospitalization.
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