How does intestinal bleeding occur

For other indications of GI bleeding, make an appointment with your doctor. Esophageal varices are enlarged veins in the esophagus. They're often due to obstructed blood flow through the portal vein, which carries blood from the intestine, pancreas and spleen to the liver.

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your lower rectum. Internal hemorrhoids are usually painless, but tend to bleed. External hemorrhoids may cause pain. Gastrointestinal bleeding can occur either in the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract. It can have a number of causes. Gastrointestinal bleeding care at Mayo Clinic. Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission.

This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. This condition is known as Mallory-Weiss syndrome. One of the most common causes of lower GI bleeding is colitis , which occurs when your colon becomes inflamed. Colitis has multiple causes, including:.

Hemorrhoids are another common cause of GI or rectal bleeding. A hemorrhoid is an enlarged vein in your rectum or anus. These enlarged veins can rupture and bleed, causing rectal bleeding. An anal fissure may also cause lower GI bleeding. This is a tear in the muscular ring that forms the anal sphincter. There are a few things that you can look for if you suspect that you might have GI or rectal bleeding.

Your stool might become darker and sticky, like tar, if bleeding comes from the stomach or upper GI tract. You may pass blood from your rectum during bowel movements, which could cause you to see some blood in your toilet or on your toilet tissue. This blood is usually bright red in color. If you experience any of these symptoms, or if you have vomit that looks like coffee grounds , call your doctor immediately. GI bleeding could signal a life-threatening condition.

Immediate medical treatment is essential. Also, seek treatment immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms:. Diagnosis of the underlying cause of your GI bleeding will usually start with your doctor asking about your symptoms and medical history. Your doctor may also request a stool sample to check for the presence of blood along with other tests to check for signs of anemia.

Upper GI bleeding is most commonly diagnosed after your doctor performs an endoscopic examination. Endoscopy is a procedure that involves the use of a small camera located atop a long, flexible endoscopic tube your doctor places down your throat. The scope is then passed through your upper GI tract. The camera allows your doctor to see inside your GI tract and potentially locate the source of your bleeding. For example, anemia is commonly associated with a slow and chronic internal bleeding.

It can cause fatigue, weakness, and shortness of breath. Some people with internal bleeding will also have low blood pressure because of the constant blood loss. This is known as orthostatic hypotension. Common symptoms include feeling dizzy or light-headed when you stand.

Also, diagnosing the cause may be easier if you have a condition that can lead to internal bleeding, such as gastritis. However, not every case of internal bleeding is so clear-cut.

Finding the source of internal bleeding may take some time and require a thorough physical examination. Diagnosing an internal bleed usually requires medical tests, a physical exam, and a thorough review of your medical history. Your doctor may use lab tests and imaging tools to both identify the cause of your internal bleeding and measure the severity.

An X-ray shows an image of your bones. A CT scan is an advanced X-ray that can see bones, tissues, and blood vessels. Angiography is an imaging test that can carefully examine individual blood vessels. The first goal of treatment is to find the source of the bleeding and stop it.

Some bleeding can be minor and may stop on its own. Other cases are more severe and may require more in-depth measures, including surgery. Rest gives your body time to heal while it reabsorbs the blood and the inflammation decreases.

A few additional treatment techniques may be necessary for slow bleeds once the cause is identified and treated. Stomach ulcers: Ulcers in the stomach are a common occurrence. Bleeding from open gastric ulcers is the most common cause of bleeding in the stomach. Bleeding from stomach ulcers can occur intermittently over a long period of time several weeks to months. Alternatively, significant bleeding from stomach ulcers can occur suddenly.

This is a dangerous situation that can even be lethal especially in elderly patients without treatment. The main causes of gastric ulcers are infection with the bacteria Helicobacter pylori , excessive use of certain drugs such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs or NSAIDs , and certain lifestyle factors.

Helicobacter pylori also referred to as H. This bacteria affects the mucus coat on the inner lining of the stomach wall.