About this topic
Gastrointestinal bleeding is when bleeding occurs in the digestive tract. It is also called GI bleeding. It can be anywhere from the mouth to the anus. The anus is the opening where stool leaves the body. GI bleeding is most often a sign of some other health problem. It is often hard to find the cause. When it happens in the upper digestive tract it is called upper GI bleeding. The stool can be very dark, almost black in color, and tarry. When it is in the lower digestive tract it is lower GI bleeding. The stool is most often red in color. There may be very little blood or a lot of blood. GI bleeding may be very serious. You may need to have a colonoscopy or endoscopy to stop the bleeding. ‚
What care is needed at home?
- Ask your doctor what you need to do when you go home. Make sure you ask questions if you do not understand what the doctor says. This way you will know what you need to do.
- Avoid taking drugs called NSAIDs. These include aspirin, ibuprofen, naproxen.
- If you smoke, quit.
- Avoid drinking beer, wine, and mixed drinks (alcohol).
- Drink 6 to 8 glasses of water each day.
- Avoid straining when you have a bowel movement.
- Talk with your doctor about taking a stool softener or adding foods to your diet that will soften stool.
What follow-up care is needed?
Your doctor may ask you to make visits to the office to check on your progress. Be sure to keep these visits. ‚
What drugs may be needed?
The doctor may order drugs to: ‚
- Help with pain
- Fight an infection
- Keep blood pressure up
- Prevent nausea
- Keep the bleeding from happening again once it has been stopped
What problems could happen?
- Low red cell count
- Low hemoglobin
- Low blood pressure
- The need for a blood transfusion
What can be done to prevent this health problem?
Colon cancer screening should be started at age 50. Your doctor may tell you to have testing done earlier if there is a family history of cancer. ‚
When do I need to call the doctor?
- Rectal bleeding
- Change in bowel habits
- Change in stool color, especially if there is bright red blood or black, tarry stool
- Belly pain or soreness
- You throw up blood or coffee ground looking material
- Feeling very weak and tired
- Weight loss that you cannot explain
- Trouble breathing
- Dizziness or passing out
- Increased heart rate
- You are not feeling better in 2 to 3 days or you are feeling worse
Teach Back: Helping You Understand
The Teach Back Method helps you understand the information we are giving you. The idea is simple. After talking with the staff, tell them in your own words what you were just told. This helps to make sure the staff has covered each thing clearly. It also helps to explain things that may have been a bit confusing. Before going home, make sure you are able to do these: ‚
- I can tell you about my condition.
- I can tell you what changes I need to make with my diet or drugs.
- I can tell you what I will do if I throw up blood or have bloody or black tarry stools.
Where can I learn more?
American College of Gastroenterology ‚
http://patients.gi.org/topics/small-bowel-bleeding/ ‚
National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse ‚
http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/bleeding/index.aspx ‚
Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer
This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. This is only a brief summary of general information. It does NOT include all information about conditions, illnesses, injuries, tests, procedures, treatments, therapies, discharge instructions or life-style choices that may apply to you. You must talk with your health care provider for complete information about your health and treatment options. This information should not be used to decide whether or not to accept your health care providers advice, instructions or recommendations. Only your health care provider has the knowledge and training to provide advice that is right for you. ‚
Copyright
Copyright ‚ © 2015 Clinical Drug Information, LLC and Lexi-Comp, Inc. ‚