Question 1

what is a gi bleed?

Accepted Answer

Blood loss: Blood loss from anywhere in the GI tract.  Mouth to anus.

Question 2

how to cure upper gi bleed?

Accepted Answer

Consult physician: Gi bleeding is serious and can be life threatening. Usually have to determine cause of GI bleed by imaging or endoscopy. Upper GI bleeds can be related to ulcers in stomach or duodenum, gastritis, esophagitis, liver disease pancreatitis and cholecystitis. Cure depends on source of bleeding.

Question 3

what are the treatments for gi bleed?

Accepted Answer

It depends : Gi bleeds can be located in several different places. They can also be of varied intensity from a trace to severe. All of that factors into the plan. 
Usually a scope can find the site of the bleed. The speed will determine the treatment after site is known.
Treatment could be surgical, endoscopic, laser, or medications.

Question 4

how do i know. if i have a gi bleed?

Accepted Answer

Depends: You will not know if there is a slow, mild bleed. A persistent slow bleed may cause anemia. A large bleed will produce bloody stool, fainting, weakness and pallor. If you have any doubt do a fecal occult blood test, better yet, see a doctor.
For good health - Have a diet rich in fresh vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low fat milk and milk products, nuts, beans, legumes, lentils and small amounts of lean meats. Avoid saturated fats. Exercise at least 150 minutes/week and increase the intensity of exercise gradually. Do not use tobacco, alcohol, weed or street drugs in any form. 
Practice safe sex.

Question 5

what are the main symptoms of a gi bleed?

Accepted Answer

Many: Throwing up blood (hematemesis), passing blood through the rectum (hematochezia) are the most obvious.  Black, tarry stools can be an indication of less dramatic blood loss.  Pale skin and general weakness are the symptoms of anemia, which is a low red blood cell count associated with loss of hemoglobin as a result of chronic low grade GI bleed.

Question 6

how does gi bleed leads /cause hypotension?

Accepted Answer

Loss of blood: When you have a GI bleed, blood leaves the bloodstream and enters the GI tract- esophagus, stomach, and large intestine most commonly. 

If you have a significantly lesser amount amount of blood in your bloodstream, low blood pressure (hypotension) can result.

Question 7

could a gi bleed be detected with an ultrasound scan?

Accepted Answer

No: The source for GI bleeding can be detected with endoscopy( fiberoptic scope in the bowel) , ct angiography, standard angiography or a nuclear medicine bleeding scan. Ultrasound is not good for evaluation of bowel as the air in the bowel causes shadowing on the ultrasound preventing you from "seeing" it.

Question 8

what to do about hypovolemic shock secondary to gi bleed?

Accepted Answer

Shock treatment: The aim of anti-shock treatment is to two fold. One, is to replete the lost volume due to the hemorrhage and the other is stop the source of the bleeding. Doing only one will not resolve the situation. In the hospital blood and/or fluids will be given and treatment plans to stop the cause of the bleed will need to be carried out successfully. Surgery may be required, in some instances, to do so.

Question 9

can an upper gi bleed be related to shingles?

Accepted Answer

Not exactly: Shingles could not be related directly as it is a recurrent infection of the nerve root that supplies skin and skin structures.  It could be related through meds taken to treat the pain of shingles.

Question 10

why are they having to give my mom units of blood? does that mean the gi bleed is bad? they are waiting to do scope till wednesday.

Accepted Answer

Blood carries O2: Blood carries oxygen to all the tissues in the body, and whenever the hemoglobin (blood level) falls too low, other organs may suffer, so giving blood restores the oxygen carrying capacity and prevents worse problems, like heart/kidney failure. A GI bleed can be major, but often stops itself, thus stabilizing before looking is usually the norm.

Get Virtual Care

For Businesses

About Us

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Doctor answers about:

Gi bleed smell

A member asked:

What is a gi bleed?

A member asked:

How to cure upper gi bleed?

A member asked:

What are the treatments for gi bleed?

A member asked:

How do i know. if i have a gi bleed?

A member asked:

What are the main symptoms of a gi bleed?

A member asked:

How does gi bleed leads /cause hypotension?

A member asked:

Could a gi bleed be detected with an ultrasound scan?

A member asked:

What to do about hypovolemic shock secondary to gi bleed?

A member asked:

Can an upper gi bleed be related to shingles?

A member asked:

Why are they having to give my mom units of blood? does that mean the gi bleed is bad? they are waiting to do scope till wednesday.

HealthTap Online Primary Care Doctors Accepting New Patients

Telemedicine

Primary Care

Manage Your Conditions

Women's Health

Children's Health

Men's Health

Senior Health

Wellness, Prevention & Lifestyle

Sexual Health

Mental & Behavioral Health

Travel Medicine

Urgent Care

Didn't find what you're looking for?

More of what we treat

Allergies

Antibiotics

Asthma

High Blood Pressure

Prescriptions

Type 2 Diabetes

For Businesses

Company

Health Content

Join Us

Download HealthTap

Questions?