Description The digestive tract...
Description
The digestive tract begins with the mouth and includes esophagus, stomach, small and large intestine, and ends at the anus. Bleeding may occur anywhere along this pathway and may be visible in vomit or in the stool. The bleeding can be slow and persistent causing anemia and black stools (melena) or fast and extensive resulting in bright red blood in the stool and dizziness. Rapid gastrointestinal bleeding can be a life threatening illness.
Symptoms
Slow bleeding of a small amount of blood may cause no symptoms. When symptoms are present, they include: vomiting blood, vomiting material with the appearance of coffee grounds, blood in the stool (melena or bright red blood), weakness, dizziness, fainting, or abdominal pain.
Tests
Common tests used for diagnosis and treatment
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Other tests to determine the extent of disease include: nasogastric tube lavage, rectal exam, EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), colonoscopy, and blood tests.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Lipase, X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Endoscopy, Clotting studies, Type and screen
Specialists:
Gastroenterology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Gastroenterology
Workup:
A history and physical exam will be performed. Other tests to determine the extent of disease include: nasogastric tube lavage, rectal exam, EGD (esophagogastroduodenoscopy), colonoscopy, and blood tests.
Tests:
Complete blood count (CBC), Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), CT Scan, Electrocardiogram (EKG), Lipase, X-ray
Other Specific Tests: Endoscopy, Clotting studies, Type and screen
Specialists:
Gastroenterology, Vascular and Interventional Radiology, Pediatric Gastroenterology
Treatment
Therapy depends on the site and severity of bleeding but may include: proton pump inhibitors (omeprazole/Prilosec, pantoprazole/Protonix), H2 blockers (cimetidine/Tagamet, ranitidine/Zantac), endoscopic or colonoscopic cauterization of bleeding, intravenous fluids, blood transfusions, and antibiotics if caused by H. pylori. Hospitalization may be recommended for significant gastrointestinal bleeding.