Gastrointetinal (GI) Bleeding
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding refers to any bleeding of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. The gastrointestinal tract ranges from the pharynx, the part of the throat just behind the mouth, to the anus. GI bleeding can be further divided into upper and lower GI bleeds. The upper GI consists of the pharynx, the esophagus, and the stomach. The lower GI consists of the small and large intestine, and the rectum. Common causes of a GI bleed include hemorrhoids, stomach ulcers (a lesion of the stomach lining), diverticula (inflammation of the colon), esophageal varices, GI tears, radiation damage, and nosebleeds. GI bleeds can range from microscopic to massive. It is important to recognize and care for a bleed as prolonged bleeding can lead to anemia (iron deficiency), hypovolemia (low blood volume), shock, and even death.
Signs and symptoms of a GI bleed include black or tarry colored stool, blood in the stool, blood in the vomit, or coffee ground like material in the vomit. Initial treatment for someone with a GI bleed is to restore proper blood volume and then identify and eliminate the cause of the bleed. Once the cause has been identified any number of treatments are possible including treatment for ulcer, addition of blood clotting agents, reduction of blood pressure at the main vein leading into the liver, and in serious cases surgery may be necessary to correct the problem. Prognosis for GI bleeding depends on the severity of the initial bleed and on whether or not bleeding recurs. If the bleeding is small and temporary the prognosis is very good. GI bleeding is associated with increased morbidity and mortality for bleeds that are more severe or bleeds that recur.
References:
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/003133.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GI_bleeding