Causes of upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

• ● Peptic ulcers are a common cause of GI bleeding. These ulcers are open sores that develop in the lining of the stomach or duodenum. An infection from Helicobacter pylori bacteria usually causes peptic ulcers.
• ● Enlarged veins in the esophagus can tear and bleed as a result of a condition called esophageal varices. Tears in the walls of the esophagus can also cause GI bleeding. This condition is known as the Mallory-Weiss syndrome.

Causes of lower Gastrointestinal Bleeding

• One of the most common causes of lower GI bleeding is colitis, which occurs when the colon becomes inflamed. Colitis has multiple causes, including:

1. Infection
2. Food poisoning
3. Parasites
4. Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis
5. Reduced blood flow to the colon
6. Haemorrhoids are another common cause of GI or rectal bleeding. A haemorrhoid is an enlarged vein in the rectum or anus. These enlarged veins can rupture and bleed, causing rectal bleeding
7. An anal fissure, usually caused by constipation or hard stools, may also cause lower GI bleeding. A fissure is a tear in the muscular ring that forms the anal sphincter

• ● Fatigue, loss of energy.
• ● Weakness
• ● Dizziness or lightheadedness.
• ● Pale skin.
• ● Shortness of breath, especially when exercising.
• ● Difficulty concentrating.
• ● Palpitations – feeling that the heart is racing or beating irregularly.
• ● Chest pain.
• ● Cold hands and feet.
• ● Headache
• ● Blood pressure drop.
• ● Unconsciousness
• ● Little or no urination.
• ● Abdominal pain or cramping.
• ● Rectal bleeding or blood in stools.
• ● Abdominal swelling.

• ● Lab tests: Tests such as complete blood count (CBC), serum chemistries, liver tests, and coagulation studies can determine the rate or severity of bleeding and identify the factors that may contribute to the problem.
• ● Stool test: Involves the analysis of stool samples. A stool test can help in the diagnosis of occult bleeding.
• Blood test: It can help determine the extent of bleeding and severity of anaemia.
• ● Gastric lavage: It is a procedure in which a doctor passes a tube through the nose or mouth into the stomach to remove the stomach contents to determine the possible location of a GI bleed. Liquid anesthesia is often used to numb the throat during this procedure.
• ● Endoscopy: The procedure involves examining a hollow passage in the body using a special instrument called an endoscope. An endoscopy may help the doctor analyze an internal GI bleed and its cause. Often, upper GI endoscopy and colonoscopy are used to test for acute GI bleeding in the upper and lower GI tracts.
• ● Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy is a procedure in which a long, flexible, narrow tube with a light and tiny camera on one end called the colonoscope or scope is used to examine the inner rectum and colon. A trained specialist performs the colonoscopy procedure; sedatives, anesthesia, or pain medicine are often used with this procedure.
• ● Imaging test: A variety of other imaging tests, such as an abdominal CT scan, might be used to find the source of the bleed.

• ● Peptic ulcer: If a peptic ulcer is the cause of GI bleeding, the following treatment procedures are followed.
• ● Proton Pump Inhibitors: Medications that reduce stomach acid production are used in severe cases to reduce mortality and recurrence of internal bleeding.
• ● Endoscopy: An endoscopy can be useful not only in diagnosis but also in treating gastrointestinal bleeding.
• ● Variceal bleeding: Variceal bleeding develops when pressures in the portal venous system increase, called portal hypertension. Blood leaks may be seen in vomit or bowel motion.
• ● Somatostatin, octreotide: Growth hormone inhibitors are often recommended to treat variceal bleeding.
• ● Haemorrhoids and anal fissures may be treated with a fiber-rich diet, fluids to keep stools soft, and stool softeners if necessary. If they do not heal, the patient may need surgery to remove or fix them.
• ● If a large amount of blood is found in the upper GI tract, patients may be given prokinetics (medication to empty the stomach), such as erythromycin or metoclopramide.
• ● Other medications may include antibiotics in patients with cirrhosis of the liver.

• ● Infection: A course of antibiotics generally heals it.
• ● Bowel incontinence: It refers to involuntary defecation and is a potential risk. Although, it is rare.
• ● Recurrence of Gastrointestinal Bleed: GI bleeds, at times, may recur even after surgery.