Gastrointestinal Bleeding – Quick Guide to Causes, Signs & Action Steps

If you hear blood in your stool, vomit dark coffee‑like liquid, or feel dizzy out of nowhere, you might be dealing with a gastrointestinal (GI) bleed. It’s a scary term, but knowing the basics can help you act fast and reduce risk.

Common Causes of GI Bleeding

GI bleeding can start anywhere from the mouth to the rectum. The most frequent culprits are:

• Peptic ulcers – sores in the stomach or duodenum that erode blood vessels.
• Esophageal varices – swollen veins in the esophagus, often linked to liver disease.
• Diverticulosis – small pouches in the colon that can burst and bleed.
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) – Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis can cause ulcerations and bleeding.
• Hemorrhoids – swollen veins in the rectum that bleed during a bowel movement.
• Medications – NSAIDs, blood thinners, and steroids can irritate the lining or thin clotting ability.

Rarely, cancers of the stomach, colon, or esophagus can also cause bleeding. Knowing what you’ve been eating, any recent meds, and your health history narrows down the cause.

How to Recognize and Respond

Symptoms differ depending on where the bleed is happening. Upper GI bleeds (stomach, esophagus) often show up as:

• Vomiting blood – bright red or coffee‑ground like.
• Black, tarry stools (melena).
• Upper abdominal pain.

Lower GI bleeds (colon, rectum) usually cause:

• Bright red blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.
• Dark red clots in stool.
• Cramping or urgency.

Accompanying signs like sudden dizziness, rapid heartbeat, or fainting mean you’re losing blood fast and need emergency care.

What should you do right now? If you spot any of the above, stop eating solid food, stay seated or lying down, and call emergency services. While you wait, keep a clear record of what you saw – color, amount, and any recent meds – to help the doctors.

At the clinic, doctors will confirm the bleed with tests such as:

• Endoscopy – a tiny camera checks the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum.
• Colonoscopy – examines the colon and rectum.
• CT angiography – imaging that spots active bleeding.
• Blood work – measures hemoglobin and clotting factors.

Treatment depends on the source. Small bleeds often stop on their own or need medication like proton‑pump inhibitors for ulcers. Bigger bleeds may require:

• Endoscopic clipping or cauterization.
• Interventional radiology – a catheter places coils to block bleeding vessels.
• Surgery – rare, but sometimes needed for uncontrolled bleeding.

After the emergency passes, your doctor will give you a plan to prevent future bleeds. This could mean quitting NSAIDs, managing alcohol intake, treating underlying liver disease, or using prescription drugs to protect the stomach lining.

Bottom line: GI bleeding isn’t something to ignore. Spotting the signs early, calling for help, and following up with proper care can save lives and keep you on track with your health goals.