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Gastrointestinal bleeding shouldn’t be observed as a disease, but rather as a symptom. It is an extremely common condition, and causes of the bleeding are often related to conditions that can be cured or controlled, such as hemorrhoids.
Endoscopy isn’t just a diagnostic tool, but also a therapeutic one; there is a great number of endoscopic therapies useful for treating GI tract bleeding. Injecting special chemicals into the bleeding site using a needle introduced through the endoscope is an extremely useful therapeutic method. The doctor can also cauterize, or heat treat, a bleeding site and surrounding tissue with a heater probe or electro-coagulation device. Some doctors also use laser therapy to stop bleeding.
What to do after the bleeding had been stopped?
When the bleeding is brought under control, medications are usually prescribed to prevent recurrence of bleeding. Medical treatment of the underlying disease, such as ulcers, to ensure healing and maintenance therapy to prevent ulcer recurrence also can lessen the chance of recurrent bleeding. The removal of polyps with an endoscope can control bleeding from colon polyps. Removal of hemorrhoids by banding, or various heat or electrical devices is effective in patients who suffer hemorrhoid bleeding on a recurrent basis.
How to recognize blood in the stool and vomit
- Black or tarry stool
- Bright red blood in vomit
- Black-grounds appearance of vomit
- Bright red blood coating the stool
- Dark blood mixed with the stool
Symptoms of acute bleeding
- Dizziness
- Crampy abdominal pain
- Feeling faint
- Diarrhea
- Weakness
- Shortness of breath
READ Gastrointestinal Bleeding Or Blood In The Stool - What Does It Mean?
Symptoms of chronic bleeding
- Lethargy
- Pallor
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath