Gastrointestinal bleeding
From Ask Dr Wiki
{{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: K92.2| {{#if: 578.9| {{#if: | {{#if: | {{#if: 19317| {{#if: 003133| {{#if: radio| {{#if: D006471| {{#if: || Gastrointestinal bleeding Classification & external resources | ||
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| ICD-10 | K92.2}} | |
| ICD-9 | 578.9}} | |
| ICD-O: | }} | |
| OMIM | [1] }} | |
| DiseasesDB | 19317 }} | |
| MedlinePlus | 003133 }} | |
| eMedicine | search | topic list | radio/301 }} radio/302 emerg/381}} | |
| MeSH | D006471 }} | |
| MeSH | {{{MeshNumber}}}}} | |
Gastrointestinal bleeding or gastrointestinal hemorrhage describes every form of hemorrhage (loss of blood) in the gastrointestinal tract, from the pharynx to the rectum. It has diverse causes, and a medical history, as well as physical examination, generally distinguishes between the main forms. The degree of bleeding can range from nearly undetectable to acute, massive, life-threatening bleeding.
Initial emphasis is on resuscitation by infusion of intravenous fluids and blood transfusion, treatment with proton pump inhibitors and occasionally with vasopressin analogues and tranexamic acid. Upper endoscopy or colonoscopy are generally considered appropriate to identify the source of bleeding and carry out therapeutic interventions.
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Symptoms and signs
Gastrointestinal bleeding can range from microscopic bleeding, where the amount of blood is so small that it can only be detected by laboratory testing (in the form of iron deficiency anemia), to massive bleeding where pure blood is passed and hypovolemia and shock may develop, risking death.
Classification
Gastrointestinal bleeding can be roughly divided into two clinical syndromes.
Upper gastrointestinal bleeding
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|, and [[{{{10}}}|{{{10}}}]]}}{{#if: | (too many parameters in {{main}})}}Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is from a source between the pharynx and the ligament of Treitz. An upper source is characterised by hematemesis (vomiting up blood) and melena (tarry stool containing altered blood).
Lower gastrointestinal bleeding
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