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Gastrointestinal Bleeding Symptoms

Acute gastrointestinal bleeding first will appear as vomiting of blood, bloody bowel movements, or black, tarry stools. Blood may look like "coffee grounds." Symptoms associated with blood loss can include the following:

• Fatigue
  
  
• Weakness
  
  
• Shortness of breath
  
  
• Abdominal pain
  
  
• Pale appearance

• Vomiting of blood usually originates from an upper GI source. Bright red or maroon stool can be from either a lower GI source or from brisk bleeding at an upper GI source.
  
  
• Long-term GI bleeding may go unnoticed or may cause fatigue, anemia, black stools, or a positive test for microscopic blood.