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Gastrointestinal bleeding - Treatment

Alternative Names

Lower GI bleeding; GI bleeding; Upper GI bleeding

Home Care:

There are home stool tests for microscopic blood that may be recommended for people with anemia or for colon cancer screening.

Call your health care provider if:

Call for an appointment with your doctor if:

  • You have black, tarry stools (this may be a sign of upper GI bleeding)
  • You have blood in your stool
  • You vomit blood or you vomit material that looks like coffee grounds

What to expect at your health care provider's office:

GI bleeding is diagnosed by a doctor -- you may or may not be aware of its presence.

GI bleeding can be an emergency condition requiring immediate medical attention. Treatment may involve:

  • Blood transfusions
  • Fluids and medicines through a vein
  • Tube through the mouth into the stomach to drain the stomach contents (gastric lavage)

Once the condition is stable, a physical examination, including a detailed abdominal examination, will be performed.

You will also be asked questions about your symptoms, including:

  • When did you first notice symptoms?
  • Did you have black, tarry stools or red blood in the stools?
  • Have you vomited blood?
  • Did you vomit material that looks like coffee grounds?
  • Do you have a history of peptic or duodenal ulcers?
  • Have you ever had symptoms like this before?
  • What other symptoms do you have?

Tests that may be done include:

  • Reviewed last on: 1/28/2009
  • David C. Dugdale, III, MD, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Medicine, Department of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine; and George F. Longstreth, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Kaiser Permanente Medical Care Program San Diego, California. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

References

Bjorkman D. GI hemorrhage and occult GI bleeding. In: Goldman L, Ausiello D. Cecil Textbook of Medicine. 23rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 137.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.
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