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George Fantry, M.D.

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Gastrointestinal bleeding

Definition:

Gastrointestinal bleeding refers to any bleeding that starts in the gastrointestinal tract, which extends from the mouth to the large bowel. The degree of bleeding can range from nearly undetectable to acute, massive, and life-threatening. Bleeding may come from any site along the gastrointestinal tract, but is often divided into:

Alternative Names:

Lower GI bleeding; GI bleeding; Upper GI bleeding

Considerations:

Gastrointestinal bleeding can range from microscopic bleeding (the amount of blood is so small that it can only be detected by laboratory testing) to massive bleeding (pure blood is passed).

It is important to be aware of gastrointestinal bleeding, because it may point to many significant diseases and conditions. Prolonged microscopic bleeding can lead to massive loss of iron, causing anemia . Acute, massive bleeding can lead to hypovolemia , shock , and even death.

Gastrointestinal bleeding can occur at any age from birth on. The degree and suspected location of the bleeding determines what tests should be performed to find the cause. Once a bleeding site is identified, many therapies are available to stop the bleeding.

Common Causes:

Some of the possible causes of gastrointestinal bleeding include:

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