Upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding

Endoscopic image of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in the stomach.

Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding (UGIB) is a significant medical condition that involves bleeding in the upper part of the gastrointestinal tract. This typically includes bleeding originating from the esophagus, stomach, or duodenum.

• Blood may be observed in vomit or in altered form as black stool.
• Depending on the amount of the blood loss, symptoms may include shock.
• Upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be caused by peptic ulcers, gastric erosions, esophageal varices, and rarer causes such as gastric cancer.
• The initial assessment includes measurement of the blood pressure and heart rate, as well as blood tests to determine the hemoglobin.

Causes

Common causes of UGIB include:

• Peptic ulcers
• Gastritis
• Esophageal varices
• Mallory-Weiss tears
• Upper gastrointestinal cancers

Symptoms and Diagnosis

Diagnostic equipment used in identifying upper gastrointestinal bleeding.

Symptoms of UGIB may include:

• Vomiting blood (hematemesis)
• Black, tarry stools (melena)
• Fatigue and weakness due to anemia

Diagnosis typically involves:

• Endoscopy to visualize and locate the source of bleeding
• Blood tests
• Imaging studies in certain cases

Treatment Options

Treatment depends on the cause and severity of the bleeding and may include:

• Endoscopic therapy (e.g., banding of varices, clipping of ulcers)
• Medications like proton pump inhibitors
• In severe cases, surgery may be required

Prevention

Preventive measures for UGIB include:

• Managing risk factors for peptic ulcers, such as avoiding NSAIDs or managing H. pylori infection
• Screening and surveillance for high-risk individuals, such as those with known varices

External Links

• National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases - Gastrointestinal Bleeding
• National Center for Biotechnology Information - Upper GI Bleeding

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding Resources
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