Gastrointestinal Bleeding |
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DESCRIPTION
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Gastrointestinal (gas-tro-in-TES-tin-ul) bleeding can occur anywhere within the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. This includes the mouth, the esophagus (ih-SOF-uh-gus) leading to the stomach, the stomach itself, and the intestines.
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CAUSES
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Infections, some medicines, and alcohol can damage tissue in the GI tract and produce bleeding. So can growths or the swollen pockets that sometimes form in the walls of the intestines. Blood vessels that are not formed correctly also can bleed.
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SYMPTOMS
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Symptoms depend on the cause and place of the bleeding, and how fast the blood is flowing. Among the common signs of gastrointestinal bleeding are vomit that contains dark specks or blood, and bloody or black, sticky stools. Other signs include dry mouth, thirst, urinating less than usual--or not urinating at all. In some cases, additional symptoms may result from other illnesses or medicines. For example, someone with heart disease could have chest pain as a result of blood loss from GI bleeding. If you experience dizziness; confusion; low blood pressure; and fast heart rate and breathing, you may be going into shock from excessive blood loss.
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CARE
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Treatment depends on where the blood is coming from and how fast and how much you are bleeding. Your doctor will do tests to find the answers. Medications may be prescribed. In the hospital, you will be watched carefully and given IV fluids. Most GI bleeding stops on its own. But you may need to be given blood, have surgery, or both.
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COMPLICATIONS
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s Without treatment, it's possible that you could bleed to death.
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