What are the Possible Causes of Gastrointestinal Bleeding
The most common causes of gastrointestinal bleeding include stomach irritation caused by acid, a perforation of the intestinal wall or perhaps some other disease. The bleeding comes in various forms.
Symptoms of GI bleeding can include:
- Heart rate is rapid.
- Chest pain.
- Difficulty breathing.
- Pale tone to the skin.
- Stool contains blood.
- Vomiting blood.
- Low blood pressure.
- Dizziness
- Anemia.
As you lose fluid, your heart rate increases to ensure blood is being supplied to the vital organs. If blood volume is lowered, it also means that there is less oxygen available resulting in breathing problems.
Causes:
Heartburn:
The presence of blood in the GI tract can also be attributed to repeated contact of stomach acids with the esophageal lining. This is most evident in heartburn symptoms. Heartburn is caused by reflux of gastric acids into the esophagus as a result of improper closure of the lower esophageal sphincter, or LES.
This leads to irritation and injury to the tissues of the esophagus. Repeated contact of digestive acids with the esophagus can lead to bleeding and the formation of scar tissue, which makes swallowing difficult to accomplish.
Esophageal Varicies:
If veins in the lower esophagus become enlarged and rupture, it can lead to bleeding in the intestinal tract. This will often occur where the blood flow to the liver is being restricted or blocked.
Blood will then back up into the esophagus, stomach and rectum. If left untreated, engorged vessels can burst and massive blood loss can result.
Stomach ulcers:
The stomach is naturally protected from gastric acids due to secretion of a mucous lining. However, if this mucous lining is reduced it can allow the development of an ulcer to form on the stomach wall. Stomach ulcers can become inflamed, leading to erosion into a blood vessel and subsequent bleeding.
People who have undergone prolonged surgical procedures can develop stress ulcers in the digestive tract. Non-malignant tumors and cancer of the stomach are known to cause gastrointestinal bleeding. Other causes of GI bleeding can include H. pylori infection and blood thinners, such as aspirin.
If symptoms of gastrointestinal bleeding present themselves, it is recommended that you seek medical help immediately. This can become a very serious problem if left untreated.
Jared Wright runs the marketing for Clivir.com, a community site offering free learning resources. Visit the links below to learn more about other health related issues such as heartburn vs heart attack symptoms and heartburn diet and recipe.
