Is gastrointestinal bleeding dangerous? When should you see a gastroenterologist?

 Gastrointestinal bleeding, often known as GI bleeding, is a serious medical problem that affects a large number of people. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is so common in the emergency department that doctors see at least one episode every day. People who have GI bleeding are constantly at risk of developing a major digestive condition. GI bleeding is more of a symptom of a serious underlying disease than sickness in and of itself. Gasstroentrologist prescribes a GI bleed therapy to diet for patients who are experiencing gastrointestinal bleeding. Due to the high occurrence of GI bleeding, many clinics and hospitals in India specialize in treating it. GI bleeding differs from person to person, depending on their habits and health status; however, if not treated promptly, it can lead to Alcohol Death. This article will inform you about gastrointestinal bleeding, as well as the signs of stomach bleeding. Continue reading to learn more.

What is Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

Gastrointestinal bleeding, as the name implies, is a type of bleeding that happens in the gastrointestinal tract. It's a sign or symptom of a more significant problem with your digestive system. The severity of gastrointestinal bleeding varies from acute to chronic. The explosion of acute GI bleeding is unprecedented and serious. Chronic GI bleeding, on the other hand, can last for a long time even if the bleeding is minor.

GI haemorrhage can cause portions of the GI tract to bleed. There's a distinction to be made between upper and lower GI bleed. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is known as Upper GI bleeding, whereas Lower GI bleeding is known as Lower GI bleeding. Blood frequently appears in the stool or is spat out. The faeces may be black or tarry, despite the fact that the blood is usually not visible. According to medical studies, GI bleeding can range from light to severe, but it can even be fatal in severe situations.

 

What are the symptoms of Gastrointestinal bleeding?

The symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding can be split into two categories. One is evident, while the other is underlying or concealed. The symptoms of stomach bleeding are mostly determined by the location of the bleeding. From the mouth to the anus, the gastrointestinal system is lined. Gastronomical bleeding can occur at any time and in any place. The following is a list of GI bleeding symptoms in order of occurrence:

Obvious/ Overt symptoms

• Blood in vomit
• Tarry black stool
• Rectum bleeding

 

Underlying/ Occult Symptoms

• Breathlessness
• Dizziness accompanied by lightheadedness
• Pain in chest
• Reeling sensation, as if you will faint
• Pain in the abdomen

 

What are the causes of Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

Because GI bleeding can occur in two places - the upper and lower GI tracts – the causes of GI bleeding can vary. The causes of gastrointestinal bleeding are listed below.

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding

• Peptic Ulcers: Peptic ulcers are one of the most common causes of upper gastrointestinal haemorrhage. The lining of the stomach and the upper region of the small intestine acquired these little ulcers.
• Esophagus Varices: People with deadly liver disease may have larger veins in their oesophagus, which can cause gastrointestinal bleeding.
• Tears in the oesophagus: This disorder, also known as Mallory-Weiss rips, can result in serious gastrointestinal bleeding. This can happen to those who drink too much alcohol.
• GERD: Gastroesophageal reflux disease causes oesophageal swelling, which can lead to GI bleeding in the upper GI tract.

Lower gastrointestinal bleeding

• Diverticular disorder: Small bulging pouches form in the digestive tract as a result of this illness. Due to infection, one of these pouches becomes irritated, resulting in gastrointestinal bleeding.
•  Haemorrhoids: Haemorrhoids are caused by a slight enlargement in the anus or lower rectum, which increases GI bleeding..
• Anal fissures: Anal fissures are small tears in the anal region. One of the reasons of GI bleeding in the lower GI is fissures.
• Benign tumours: Non-cancerous tumours can form anywhere in the gastrointestinal tract, speeding up gastrointestinal bleeding.

 

How dangerous is GI bleeding?

The complications that come with any gastrointestinal bleeding symptoms can be life-threatening. The main reason for this is that GI bleeding symptoms are nearly unnoticeable. The problem must be identified as soon as possible in order to begin treatment. The symptoms, on the other hand, do not appear until the condition has progressed to the point of becoming chronic. The GI bleeding disease takes a long time to treat when it is persistent. In the worst-case scenario, gastrointestinal bleeding therapy necessitates extreme caution.

Another aspect to consider is that GI bleeding increases people's alcohol consumption. Today, a sizable portion of the population engages in heavy drinking. According to studies, GI bleeding can lead to alcohol fatality. People who drink a lot of alcohol are more likely to have GI bleeding. And unless they address the disease seriously, the GI bleed recovery time disparity worsens in these folks. GI bleeding can lead to a variety of problems, including anemia and, in the worst-case scenario, death. It has a significant impact on your health and way of life.

 

When to consult a Gastroentrologist?

The onset of GI bleeding symptoms like shock, tarry stool, bloody vomit, is the right time to see a gastroenterologist. It is essential to start up gastrointestinal bleeding treatment as soon as possible before the condition worsens. It is likely to occur in people with a history of some medical condition. Besides that, old age is also a primary influencing factor of GI bleeding. In such people, GI bleed recovery time extended, owing to their condition.

When you see a gastroenterologist, he may do many tests on you, such as an upper endoscopy, a blood test, a stool test, and so on. The doctor will utilize the tests to determine the core cause of the gastrointestinal bleeding and begin treatment. Despite the fact that various factors such as the bleeding location, bleeding status, and so on affect the therapy, the doctor may urge you to take preventive measures in order for the treatment to work. In most circumstances, your doctor will prescribe a GI bleed treatment diet as part of your treatment.

Takeaway 

Dr. Sachin Palnitkar’s best Gastroenterology Clinic in Pune provides one of the most effective GI Bleeding treatments in Pune. Being a distinguished Gastroenterologist in Pune, Dr.Palnitkar is an experienced clinician, who treats gastrointestinal bleeding conditions and offers a GI bleed treatment diet for the process to work effectively.