Gastrointestinal bleeding

Alternative names:

gastrointestinal blood; GI bleeding; lower GI bleeding; upper GI bleeding

Definition:

A sign of disease or abnormality within the gastrointestinal tract; it involves the presence of blood or hemoglobin in the stool. Upper GI bleeding involves a source near the pyloric valve of the stomach. Lower GI bleeding involves a source farther down the intestines than the pyloric valve.

Considerations:

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

Awareness of gastrointestinal bleeding is important as it may herald many significant diseases and conditions. Prolonged microscopic bleeding can lead to massive losses of iron and subsequent anemia. Acute massive bleeding can lead to hypovolemia, shock, and even death.

Gastrointestinal bleeding can occur at any age from birth on. Gastrointestinal bleeding in children ranges from the simple, such as swallowed blood from a nosebleed to the more complex, such as milk allergies, to the life threatening conditions such as intussusception or Meckel's diverticula. Adolescents and young adults may suffer from bleeding ulcers, Crohn's disease, and colitis; while middle-aged and senior adults have reached an age of colon cancer and diverticulitis, all of which may cause gastrointestinal bleeding.

Common causes:

• air-contrast barium enema
• endoscopy or similar tests that involve entering the bowel
• intestinal volvulus (twisted bowel)
• intussusception
• Meckel's diverticula
• acquired platelet function defect
• anal fissure
• cow's milk allergy
• diarrhea
• duodenal ulcer
• esophageal varices
• gastric ulcer
• hemolytic-uremic syndrome (HUS)
• Crohn's disease (regional enteritis)
• salmonellosis
• shigellosis
• ulcerative colitis

Note: There may be other causes of GI bleeding. This list is not all inclusive, and the causes are not presented in order of likelihood. The causes of this symptom can include unlikely diseases and medications. Furthermore, the causes may vary based on age and gender of the affected person, as well as on the specific characteristics of the symptom such as quality, time course, aggravating factors, relieving factors, and associated complaints. Use the Symptom Analysis option to explore the possible explanations for GI bleeding, occurring alone or in combination with other problems.