What is Bleeding Digestive Tract?
Bleeding in the digestive tract is a symptom of a disease rather
than a disease itself. Bleeding can occur as the result of a
number of different conditions, some of which are life
threatening. Most causes of bleeding are related to conditions
that can be cured or controlled, such as ulcers or hemorrhoids.
The cause of bleeding may not be serious, but locating the source
of bleeding is important.
The digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract includes the
esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine or colon,
rectum, and anus. Bleeding can come from one or more of these
areas, that is, from a small area such as an ulcer on the lining
of the stomach or from a large surface such as an inflammation of
the colon. Bleeding can sometimes occur without the person
noticing it. This type of bleeding is called occult or hidden.
Fortunately, simple tests can detect occult blood in the stool.
What causes bleeding in the digestive
tract?
Stomach acid can cause inflammation that may lead to bleeding at
the lower end of the esophagus. This condition, usually associated
with the symptom of heartburn, is called esophagitis or
inflammation of the esophagus. Sometimes a muscle between the
esophagus and stomach fails to close properly and allows the
return of food and stomach juices into the esophagus, which can
lead to esophagitis. In another, unrelated condition, enlarged
veins (varices) at the lower end of the esophagus may rupture and
bleed massively. Cirrhosis of the liver is the most common cause
of esophageal varices. Esophageal bleeding can be caused by a tear
in the lining of the esophagus (Mallory-Weiss syndrome).
Mallory-Weiss syndrome usually results from vomiting but may also
be caused by increased pressure in the abdomen from coughing,
hiatal hernia, or childbirth. Esophageal cancer can cause
bleeding.
The stomach is a frequent site of bleeding. Infections with
Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), alcohol, aspirin,
aspirin-containing medicines, and various other medicines (NSAIDs,
particularly those used for arthritis) can cause stomach ulcers or
inflammation (gastritis). The stomach is often the site of ulcer
disease. Acute or chronic ulcers may enlarge and erode through a
blood vessel, causing bleeding. Also, patients suffering from
burns, shock, head injuries, cancer, or those who have undergone
extensive surgery may develop stress ulcers. Bleeding can also
occur from benign tumors or cancer of the stomach, although these
disorders usually do not cause massive bleeding.
A common source of bleeding from the upper digestive tract is
ulcers in the duodenum (the upper small intestine). Duodenal
ulcers are most commonly caused by infection with H. pylori
bacteria or drugs such as aspirin or NSAIDs.
In the lower digestive tract, the large intestine and rectum are
frequent sites of bleeding. Hemorrhoids are the most common cause
of visible blood in the digestive tract, especially blood that
appears bright red. Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins in the anal
area that can rupture and produce bright red blood, which can show
up in the toilet or on toilet paper. If red blood is seen,
however, it is essential to exclude other causes of bleeding since
the anal area may also be the site of cuts (fissures),
inflammation, or cancer.
Benign growths or polyps of the colon are very common and are
thought to be forerunners of cancer. These growths can cause
either bright red blood or occult bleeding.
Inflammation from various causes can produce extensive bleeding
from the colon. Different intestinal infections can cause
inflammation and bloody diarrhea. Ulcerative colitis can produce
inflammation and extensive surface bleeding from tiny ulcerations.
Diverticular disease caused by diverticula—pouches in the colon
wall—can result in massive bleeding. Finally, as one gets older,
abnormalities may develop in the blood vessels of the large
intestine, which may result in recurrent bleeding.
Patients taking blood thinning medications (warfarin) may have
bleeding from the GI tract, especially if they take drugs like
aspirin.
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