Have you ever been scared to death when you see blood in your stool when you go to the toilet? Or have you ever noticed that your stool is strangely black like tar? It's normal to feel scared when you see something like this. But most of the time, this is not a sign of a serious illness. So today, let's talk about this bleeding that occurs inside our digestive tract, that is, Gastrointestinal Bleeding (GI Bleeding), in a simple and clear way.
What is this bleeding in the digestive tract?
Simply put, Gastrointestinal Bleeding is not a disease, it is a symptom. It is something that is caused by another problem inside the body. Think about it, our digestive tract is a long tube-like system that runs from the mouth to the anus. This includes all parts of the digestive tract, such as the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, large intestine, and rectum . So when bleeding starts anywhere in this system, we call it gastrointestinal bleeding.
This bleeding may be from a small area, such as an ulcer in the stomach, or it may be from a more widespread area, such as inflammation in the large intestine.
But the strange thing is, sometimes we don't even see this bleeding. Doctors call this 'occult bleeding' . But don't worry, even this kind of hidden blood can be easily detected with simple stool tests.
Why is there so much bleeding? Let's look at some of the reasons.
The reasons for this vary from one person to another depending on where the blood is going. Let's look at the table below to understand this clearly.
| Bleeding point | Main possible causes |
|---|---|
| Esophagus |
|
| Stomach | |
| Lower digestive tract (intestines, rectum) |
What are the signs we see?
These symptoms may vary depending on where the bleeding is and how fast it is happening.
The story is told in blood.
You can get a rough idea of where the blood is coming from the symptoms you see.
- Bright red blood in the stool: This is most likely coming from the rectum or lower part of the colon. This is common in conditions like hemorrhoids.
- Dark red/black blood mixed with stool: The blood may be coming from the upper part of the large intestine or the last part of the small intestine.
- Black, sticky, foul-smelling stools: This is a very important sign. This means that the blood is coming from the upper part of the digestive tract, such as the stomach and esophagus. The blood from there is digested as it passes through the digestive system, which turns black.
- Bright red blood with vomiting: This indicates fresh bleeding from the esophagus or stomach.
- Vomit that looks like "coffee grounds": This appearance occurs when blood stays in the stomach for a while and mixes with stomach acids.
But remember one thing. Some medications, for example iron pills, and some foods, especially beetroot, can also cause your stool to turn red or black. So don't panic if you notice a change in color, but it's best to tell your doctor.
Other common features
If the bleeding occurs frequently and over a long period of time, you may also experience symptoms such as:
- Unexplained tiredness and fatigue
- Weakness
- Pale appearance
- Anemia means a decrease in blood volume in the body.
If you suddenly experience heavy bleeding, you may experience symptoms such as dizziness, weakness, difficulty breathing, and abdominal pain . This is an emergency, so it is important to go to an emergency room (ETU) immediately.
How do you find this, Doctor?
If you have unusual bleeding like this, you should definitely see a doctor. He or she will examine you and ask you a few questions. Things like the way your stool passes, the color, and whether you have any pain can give you a rough idea of where the blood is coming from.
Then, you may want to do some tests like this:
1. Stool Test: Check for hidden blood in the stool.
2. Blood Test: Check to see if you have anemia and how low your blood count is.
3. Endoscopy: This is the most important and accurate test. In this, a thin, flexible tube with a camera attached is inserted through the mouth (upper GI endoscopy) or the rectum (colonoscopy) to see exactly where the bleeding is coming from. If necessary, a piece of tissue (biopsy) can also be taken for examination at this time. Don't worry, this is usually done under anesthesia, so you won't feel any pain.
In some cases, other tests, such as X-rays and angiography, which use a barium solution, may also be performed.
What are the treatments for this?
The good news is that most cases of gastrointestinal bleeding can be successfully controlled and treated. The treatment you receive will depend on the cause of the bleeding.
In many cases , the endoscopy I mentioned earlier can be performed at the same time as the treatment. Isn't that amazing? Through the endoscope, the doctor can:
- Inject medicine into the bleeding area.
- Cauterize the area with a little heat to stop the bleeding.
- Or close the blood vessel with a small clip.
Surgery may be necessary only if these methods do not control the bleeding. Once the bleeding has stopped, you will be given medication to prevent the condition from recurring.
Take-Home Message
- Gastrointestinal bleeding is not a disease, it is a symptom of another problem inside the body.
- The main symptoms are bright red blood in the stool, black tarry stools, or blood in the vomit. Sometimes, internal bleeding can occur without any symptoms.
- This can be caused by anything from a simple cause like hemorrhoids to something more serious like intestinal ulcers or cancer.
- If you have these symptoms, don't speculate or panic, but see your doctor immediately.
- The sooner the cause is identified, the easier it is to treat. So never ignore these symptoms.
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