subject: Gastrointestinal Bleeding - What Are The Common Causes And Symptoms [print this page] If you are suffering from gastrointestinal bleeding, it is possible that your problem is being caused by either some other disease or condition, stomach acid or your intestinal wall may be perforated.
Symptoms of GI bleeding can include:
- Heart rate is rapid.
- Pains in the chest.
- Respiratory difficulty.
- Pale tone to the skin.
- Stool contains blood.
- Vomiting of 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:
Heartburn is a condition that sees stomach acid entering the esophagus because the lower esophageal sphincter is not effectively preventing this from occurring.
If the lining of the stomach is being repeatedly exposed to stomach acid, it can result in bleeding and scar tissue may form.
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.
This leads to blood backing up into the esophagus, including the rectum and stomach, causing them to become engorged with blood. If not treated, engorged vessels will eventually burst and massive bleeding can result.
Stomach ulcers:
The stomach normally secretes a mucous lining which protects it from gastric acid. Any reduction in this lining leaves it vulnerable to ulcer development. If these ulcers become inflamed they can cause bleeding due to their erosion into a blood vessel.
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.
