Stomach Disorders—Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Also called: GI bleeding

Your digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract includes the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine or colon, rectum, and anus. Bleeding can come from any of these areas. The amount of bleeding can be so small that only a lab test can find it.

Signs of bleeding in the digestive tract depend where it is and how much bleeding there is.

Signs of bleeding in the upper digestive tract include

• Bright red blood in vomit
• Vomit that looks like coffee grounds
• Black or tarry stool
• Dark blood mixed with stool

Signs of bleeding in the lower digestive tract include

• Black or tarry stool
• Dark blood mixed with stool
• Stool mixed or coated with bright red blood

GI bleeding is not a disease, but a symptom of a disease. There are many possible causes of GI bleeding, including hemorrhoids, peptic ulcers, tears or inflammation in the esophagus, diverticulosis and diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, colonic polyps, or cancer in the colon, stomach or esophagus.

The test used most often to look for the cause of GI bleeding is called endoscopy. It uses a flexible instrument inserted through the mouth or rectum to view the inside of the GI tract. A type of endoscopy called colonoscopy looks at the large intestine.

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Bleeding esophageal varices (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Bloody or tarry stools (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Gastrointestinal bleeding (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Lower GI Series – NIH (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
• Mallory-Weiss tear (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Vomiting blood (Medical Encyclopedia)

Also called: Gastric disorders

Your stomach is an organ between your esophagus and small intestine. It is where digestion of protein begins. The stomach has three tasks. It stores swallowed food. It mixes the food with stomach acids. Then it sends the mixture on to the small intestine.

Most people have a problem with their stomach at one time or another. Indigestion and heartburn are common problems. You can relieve some stomach problems with over-the-counter medicines and lifestyle changes, such as avoiding fatty foods or eating more slowly. Other problems like peptic ulcers or GERD require medical attention.

You should see a doctor if you have any of the following:

• Blood when you have a bowel movement
• Severe abdominal pain
• Heartburn not relieved by antacids
• Unintended weight loss
• Ongoing vomiting or diarrhea

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

• Bezoar (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Dumping Syndrome – NIH (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) – PDF
• EGD discharge (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Gastrectomy (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Gastritis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Gastroparesis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Pyloric stenosis (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Stomach acid test (Medical Encyclopedia)
• Upper GI and small bowel series (Medical Encyclopedia)