Intestinal bleeding is one of the most striking signs of serious disorders in the human body. If this condition occurs, you should definitely consult a doctor immediately. Any delay could cost a person their life.
In general, bleeding is the last stage of one of the diseases of the digestive tract. Unbalanced nutrition, too fast pace of life, constant stress, smoking can lead to diseases of these organs. Many people take large amounts of medications when anxiety symptoms appear, which can lead to bleeding. When the first warning signs appear, you need to visit a gastroenterologist.
Types and forms of bleeding
Symptoms of bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract largely depend on the severity of the pathology and the rate of blood loss. Such a violation can be of several types, and its form can be established by the clinical picture, as well as during the diagnosis.
In the form of internal bleeding can be from the upperand lower gastrointestinal tract. The upper sections include the esophagus and stomach, and the lower sections include the small and large intestines, as well as the rectal section. In addition, bleeding varies by type, namely:
- acute or chronic;
- explicit or implicit;
- Single or relapsing.
Bleeding severity can be classified as:
- easy;
- moderate;
- heavy.
With severe bleeding, a person can lose 2-3 liters of blood, which threatens death.
Main reasons
One of the most common causes of intestinal bleeding is esophageal varices. Depending on the source of the lesion, such a pathology can be in the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract. Such a separation is necessary, as signs, methods of diagnosis and treatment may differ. Bleeding from the upper GI tract occurs for reasons such as:
- erosive gastritis or ulcers;
- esophageal varices;
- esophagitis;
- superficial damage to the esophagus;
- neoplasms in the digestive tract.
There are also many other reasons, but they are quite rare. Bleeding in the lower GI tract can occur with conditions such as:
- tumors and polyps;
- helminthiases;
- intestinal diverticulosis;
- infectious colitis;
- complication of infectious diseases;
- damage to the intestinal wall by foreign objects;
- hemorrhoids.
Bleeding from the lower GI tract is much less common than from the upper GI tract. One of the main causes of such a pathology can be various blood diseases, in which blood clotting is significantly reduced.
Symptomatics
Symptoms of bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract can be very different, so it is often quite difficult to establish its source, this requires additional instrumental diagnostics. Among the main signs of blood loss, it is necessary to highlight such as:
- dizziness;
- strong weakness;
- constant thirst;
- fainting;
- increased heart rate;
- severe pallor of the skin;
- appearance of cold sweat;
- pressure drop.
In severe cases, shock may develop. If there is a slight bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract, the symptoms will increase gradually, and if it is strong, external signs will appear quickly enough. If a person suffers from a chronic disease of the stomach or intestines, then when the first complaints appear, you should definitely consult a doctor.
Vomiting occurs some time after bleeding has started. The vomit has the color of coffee grounds. This occurs as a result of a chemical reaction of blood components with gastric juice. The appearance of vomiting may indicate that the bleeding has continued for several hours.
If vomiting is observed with impurities of scarlet blood, then this may indicate bleeding from the veins of the esophagus, which maybe with an injury to the abdomen, when the walls of blood vessels are damaged. The patient must be urgently hospitalized, as he may die.
The color and consistency of feces also depend on the time of onset of bleeding and its intensity. The appearance of stool changes indicates that the bleeding continues for at least several hours. With a slight lesion, bloody stool appears the next day. You need to see a doctor urgently. In addition, the color of feces during bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract may remain unchanged, and the presence of blood is determined only with the help of a coprogram.
In addition, there may be a darkening of the feces, which become black and remain dense. Significant blood loss is accompanied by the appearance of black stools.
The appearance of red blood in an unchanged stool in the absence of general symptoms of bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract indicates damage to the hemorrhoids or the presence of an anal fissure. This condition is not life threatening, but requires urgent treatment.
Symptoms of bleeding in children
Internal bleeding from the gastrointestinal tract is often observed in a child under the age of 3 years. Congenital pathologies can also be observed in the form:
- partial colonic infarction;
- ulcerative necrotizing enterocolitis;
- duplication of the small intestine.
In this case, the child has bloating, constant vomiting, regurgitation. The feces become greenish in color with impurities of mucus and blood. Necessarily necessary when the first signs of the development of pathology appear immediatelysee a doctor to prevent very dangerous complications.
First Aid
Emergency treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding before the arrival of an ambulance is very important. In this case, you need:
- lay the patient and provide him with complete rest;
- apply ice or any other cold on the gastrointestinal tract;
- give a person to swallow small pieces of ice;
- urgently call an ambulance.
With significant blood loss, there may be a sharp drop in pressure and fainting. First aid for fainting should be immediate, as this can lead to the death of the victim. That is why it is imperative to carry out such manipulations as:
- intravenous administration of aminocaproic acid solution 5%;
- administration of calcium chloride 10%;
- intramuscular injection of calcium gluconate 10%;
- Vikasol injection.
After that, you need to immediately hospitalize the patient in the gastroenterology department. It is very important to provide first aid for fainting in order to prevent the occurrence of a shock state. The hospital conducts a comprehensive examination to determine the cause of the bleeding. In severe cases, blood transfusions and intravenous glucose infusions are performed.
If a person has a stomach ulcer, then there must be drugs at home to stop the bleeding, as this will allow urgent assistance to the victim.
Conductdiagnostics
When the first signs of rupture of the colon or damage to other parts of the gastrointestinal tract appear, the immediate assistance of a surgeon is required. After stopping the bleeding, consultation with a gastroenterologist, oncologist and proctologist is required. In some cases, a consultation with a hematologist is also required. The diagnosis is based on:
- gathering anamnesis and complaints;
- clinical examination;
- blood test;
- fecal blood test;
- endoscopy.
When there are complaints about signs of bleeding, it is imperative to know when the first symptoms arose and what the person associates them with. Life history is of great importance. In addition, a clinical and rectal examination is required. It helps to identify the source of bleeding. When conducting an external examination, the doctor pays attention to the patient's stomach. If it is flabby and saggy, then this may indicate a prolapse of the stomach. If the abdomen becomes convex, then this may indicate the course of the tumor process.
During a general blood test in case of bleeding, a decrease in hemoglobin and the number of red blood cells is noted. In the presence of pus in the gastrointestinal tract, leukocytosis is observed. The increase in leukocytes will be in the presence of malignant neoplasms of the stomach. ESR may be reduced or remain within the normal range.
In the presence of injuries or injuries of the abdomen, an endoscopic examination is required. It is carried out using a special apparatus, whichis introduced into the patient's oral cavity under the supervision of a physician. During endoscopic examination, in addition to detecting the source of bleeding, it is also possible to carry out medical procedures, in particular, cauterization or clipping of damaged vessels.
When the colon is ruptured, sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy is used. With rectomanoscopy, an instrumental examination of the sigmoid and rectum is performed. Colonoscopy involves an endoscopic examination of the colon using a special apparatus aimed at examining the mucosa of the large intestine. All of these procedures can be diagnostic and therapeutic.
In some cases, an ultrasound examination is prescribed, which is carried out strictly on an empty stomach. This determines the state of the walls, their thickness, and you can also find the place of the gap. Such a method of examination will allow us to assess the dynamics of the development of the disease.
The method of X-ray examination is widely used, despite the fact that it is associated with radiation exposure. It should not be used frequently to examine children and people of reproductive age. A similar study is carried out in the presence of suspicions of a tumor process, anemia, in violation of swallowing. The patient is injected with contrast, and the condition of the organ is assessed.
Features of treatment
Treatment of the gastrointestinal tract in case of bleeding is carried out after establishing the main cause of the problem, as this will allow you to select the most effective methods. If the problem arose as a result of surgery or if there isulcers, surgery is recommended. Conservative treatment in this case will not bring the desired result.
If bleeding is due to minor vascular damage, then a similar problem can be eliminated with the help of therapeutic endoscopy. In addition, the doctor may prescribe angiotherapy, which involves taking vasoconstrictor drugs. It is worth remembering that in case of a relapse, an operation is necessarily indicated.
When treating the gastrointestinal tract in case of bleeding, it is imperative to observe strict bed rest, as well as complete emotional and physical calm. The volume of lost blood can be replenished with the help of intravenous administration of blood substitutes. With significant blood loss, a transfusion of blood components is required.
It is very important to carry out comprehensive and timely treatment, as this will prevent serious complications and dangerous consequences.
Treatment of the upper GI tract
If there is bleeding from the upper gastrointestinal tract, then this is considered a very dangerous condition, which can lead to the death of the patient. A person needs urgent medical attention. He should not be given any antiemetics. You can only put an ice bag on your stomach.
Observation and treatment are carried out strictly in a hospital. The most common methods include endoscopic examinations and surgical treatment. Endoscopy directedon the introduction into the oral cavity and throat of the gastroscope to find the source of bleeding and eliminate it. The operation is performed in case of ineffectiveness of endoscopic intervention.
Treatment of the lower gastrointestinal tract
If there are problems with the gastrointestinal tract in the lower part and bleeding occurs, then it is imperative to establish the cause of this condition and conduct subsequent complex treatment. It may include removal of neoplasms, polyps, as well as surgery for varicose veins.
It is worth noting that the lower sections do not give very strong blood loss and very rarely require emergency hospitalization. However, in any case, it is important to consult a doctor for treatment at the first signs of bleeding.
Dieting
You can eat food only 1-2 days after the bleeding stops. Dishes must be chilled, semi-liquid or liquid. You can also swallow small pieces of ice.
As you feel better, the menu can be gradually expanded by adding dietary meals. Literally 5-6 days after the complete stop of bleeding, the patient should eat food every 2 hours in small portions. After a week, you can switch to your usual diet.
Forecast
Predict the patient's condition depending on the severity of bleeding. If the amount of blood lost is small, then weakness and pallor are present from the symptoms, but in general the person's condition is considered quite satisfactory. In this case, gastroenterologistsrequired therapy, prescribe a course of medications, and offer ongoing outpatient monitoring.
In the presence of more serious and intense manifestations, pain in the gastrointestinal tract, the prognosis will depend on many other factors, such as the stage of the course of the disease, the age of the patient, as well as the general etiology.
If, in the presence of internal bleeding, dark stools, nausea and vomiting with blood are observed, then you should immediately visit a doctor, as this condition is very dangerous, especially if the patient is over 50 years old. In older people, it is very difficult to cause contraction of the sclerotic artery, as it has already partially lost its elasticity.
Pain that does not stop from the very beginning of bleeding may also indicate a negative prognosis. Such symptoms greatly complicate the overall prognosis for the patient. In this case, urgent surgical intervention is indicated. It is worth remembering that if the first signs of diseases of the gastrointestinal tract occur, you need to see a doctor, thereby you can save your life and he alth.
Possible Complications
Gastrointestinal bleeding can lead to very dangerous consequences, such as:
- anemia;
- hemorrhagic shock;
- acute renal failure;
- multiple organ failure.
Hemorrhagic shock refers to very serious conditions associated with profuse blood loss. Multiple organ failure is a severe specific disorder of the body that develops as the final stage of many injuries andacute illnesses.
Untimely referral to a specialist when the first signs of internal bleeding occur or self-treatment can lead to very serious consequences, up to the death of the patient.
Prophylaxis
Bleeding never happens on its own. It always accompanies any disease and injury. All patients suffering from chronic diseases of the digestive system must definitely undergo preventive examinations with a doctor and take tests as prescribed. In addition, an endoscopic examination may be prescribed.
In the presence of chronic diseases, you must constantly follow a special diet recommended by the doctor, since in many cases the cause of the exacerbation of the disease and the occurrence of complications is precisely the error in nutrition and the consumption of alcoholic beverages.
