Do I Have Gastrointestinal Bleeding?

Do you vomit blood, which might be red or might be dark brown and resemble coffee grounds in texture?

Do you have a black, tarry stool?

Do you have dark or bright red blood mixed with your stool?

Do you have bright red blood coating the stool?

Do you feel dizzy or faint?

Do you have a chest pain or shortness of breath?

Do you have cramps or pain in your abdomen?

Do you feel tired and weak?

Do you have a pale skin?

Do you have little or no urination?

Do you have a rapid pulse?

Based on your answers it is unlikely that you have gastrointestinal bleeding. Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding starts in the GI tract (digestive tract). GI bleeding is not a disease itself, but it is a symptom caused by an underlying condition. Bleeding can occur in any part of the GI tract, from the mouth to the anus. It can occur suddenly, or it can be a symptom that lasts for a long time. Bleeding in the GI tract can be obvious (overt), such as vomiting blood or having bloody stools or hidden (occult) so that the person does not even know that he has a problem.

Based on your answers there is a possibility that you have gastrointestinal bleeding. Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding occurs in your GI tract. A person may have bleeding in the upper or lower part of the GI tract. The upper part of the GI tract includes your mouth, esophagus, stomach, and small intestine, while the lower part of the GI tract includes your large intestine and anus. GI bleeding is a common condition that affects about 100,000 people in the US each year. It is twice as common in men as in women. A diagnosis is based on a physical examination and various tests.

Based on your answers there is a high possibility that you have gastrointestinal bleeding. Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding can occur anywhere along your GI tract. It may be the result of various conditions including ulcers or erosions of the esophagus, stomach or duodenum, polyps of the large intestine, hemorrhoids, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. GI bleeding can be acute, which occurs suddenly with profuse blood loss and represent a medical emergency. If you have chronic bleeding you may develop anemia, fatigue and breathing difficulties. Hidden GI bleeding can be detected by a simple laboratory test. GI bleeding must be evaluated by your doctor.