Upper gastrointestinal bleeding

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
48sec home-news-image

Does anemia caused by upper gastrointestinal bleeding require rest?

After anemia occurs due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is necessary to rest more because if patients continue to move outdoors after developing anemia, it can lead to dizziness and, in severe cases, the possibility of fainting, which can endanger the patient’s life. Therefore, patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding should pay more attention to rest and should appropriately have family members accompany them, as this is safer. The main causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding may include peptic ulcers, acute erosive gastritis with bleeding, etc. Once upper gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, it is necessary to immediately visit the gastroenterology department of a formal hospital for a thorough examination with an electronic gastroscope to confirm the diagnosis.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 41sec home-news-image

Common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Common causes of upper gastrointestinal bleeding include gastric ulcers, duodenal ulcers, gastrointestinal tumors, and even vascular malformations. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a medical emergency in the field of internal medicine and is generally treated in gastroenterology or emergency departments. Most patients present with vomiting blood or having bloody stools. Of course, patients with significant bleeding may experience symptoms of low blood volume such as dizziness, fatigue, chest tightness, and palpitations. Therefore, patients with the aforementioned symptoms are advised to seek timely treatment in the gastroenterology or emergency department. It is recommended to complete routine blood tests, electrocardiograms, and gastroscopic examinations. If necessary, further examinations such as colonoscopy or abdominal CT scans should be done to determine the cause. The treatment is primarily supportive at this stage, including fasting, rest, and monitoring vital signs. For medication, active fluid replenishment and anemia correction to improve low blood volume symptoms are recommended. Different causes require different treatment plans. If an ulcer is suspected, acid-suppressing and stomach-protecting medicines may be added. If tumor bleeding is considered, surgical intervention is generally required.

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Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
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Can upper gastrointestinal bleeding be cured?

Gastrointestinal bleeding, especially lower gastrointestinal bleeding, is a common and urgent condition in gastroenterology. It is relatively common clinically, and generally has good treatment outcomes. However, due to different causes, the treatment efficacy and methods may vary. For upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by different reasons, the prognosis also varies. For example, upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by gastric ulcers generally responds well to medical treatment and usually can be cured. However, if considering upper gastrointestinal bleeding caused by gastric tumors, particularly gastric cancer common among the general population, the treatment outcome may not be as favorable. Besides surgery and chemotherapy, the five-year survival rate is relatively higher, but for advanced-stage gastric tumors, the treatment efficacy is generally poorer and the prognosis is relatively worse.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Color of vomit due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding

The color of vomit from upper gastrointestinal bleeding can be bright red or coffee-colored liquid. Because if the bleeding in the upper gastrointestinal tract exceeds 200ml, it can lead to vomiting blood. At this time, the vomited blood combines with stomach acid, turning into a coffee-colored liquid. If the bleeding is massive and does not have enough time to mix thoroughly with the stomach acid, it might result in the vomiting of bright red blood. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is an emergency in gastroenterology, and it requires prompt medical treatment. It's also crucial to thoroughly complete an endoscopic examination to make an accurate diagnosis. If necessary, hemostatic treatment can be performed under gastroscopy.

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Written by Ren Zheng Xin
Gastroenterology
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Is an upper gastrointestinal perforation serious?

Upper gastrointestinal perforation is most commonly due to gastric perforation caused by gastric ulcers and is considered an emergency in clinical settings. Following the perforation, the contents of the stomach leak into the abdominal cavity, causing diffuse peritonitis and potentially leading to shock; urgent perforation repair surgery is required. If the perforation is caused by a large ulcer, a major part of the stomach may be removed to prevent recurrence of the ulcer. After surgery, it is important to enhance fluid support. If there is a significant peritonitis, timely use of antibiotics is necessary. Post-surgery, it is crucial to rest, focus on dietary adjustments, eat more vegetables and fruits, and consume fewer spicy and greasy foods. (Medication should be taken under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
51sec home-news-image

Does upper gastrointestinal bleeding always result in black stools and vomiting blood?

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding does not necessarily result in black stools or vomiting of blood. If the bleeding is very minor, such as less than 5ml, there will be no black stools or vomiting blood, and the bleeding can only be detected through a fecal occult blood test which shows a positive result. If the bleeding amounts to about 50ml, vomiting blood may not occur, but black stools can be present. If the bleeding reaches about 200ml and occurs rapidly, both vomiting of blood and black stools may occur simultaneously. Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a common and critical condition in gastroenterology that requires standardized treatment measures. The first step is to conduct a thorough gastroscopic examination, followed by measures to suppress gastric acid production and protect the gastric mucosa.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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Will melena from upper gastrointestinal bleeding heal by itself?

Generally speaking, after the occurrence of black stool due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is quite difficult to cure and requires active treatment measures. For example, it is necessary to perform thorough gastroscopy and under gastroscopy, endoscopic treatment can be conducted. It is also advisable to consider oral medications that inhibit gastric acid secretion and protect the gastric mucosa. Medications that inhibit gastric acid secretion include proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) such as omeprazole, lansoprazole, and pantoprazole. Alternatively, H2 receptor antagonists such as ranitidine and famotidine can be selected. In terms of efficacy, proton pump inhibitors are generally more effective and better than H2 receptor antagonists, with fewer side effects.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
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What is the most urgent measure for shock due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

When shock occurs due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding, the most urgent treatment measure is to quickly establish intravenous access and actively and rapidly replenish fluids and blood volume. Consideration can be given to the intravenous drip of balanced solutions, Ringer's solution or 5% glucose saline. Fluid replenishment should follow the principles of starting quickly then slowing, and using crystalloids before colloids. At the same time, after shock correction, it is crucial to perform a thorough gastroscopic examination to identify the cause and location of the bleeding, and to undertake the relevant endoscopic treatments. Additionally, patients with upper gastrointestinal bleeding need comprehensive treatment including suppressing acid secretion and protecting the gastric mucosa.

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Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
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Upper gastrointestinal bleeding includes which areas?

In clinical practice, bleeding in the digestive system above the ligament of Treitz is referred to as upper gastrointestinal bleeding. It primarily includes the following areas: The first major category is esophageal diseases, such as esophagitis, esophageal trauma, and other causes of bleeding. The second category is duodenal diseases, such as peptic ulcers, acute erosive hemorrhagic gastritis, stomach cancer, etc. Another cause is liver cirrhosis leading to portal hypertension, which can cause rupture and bleeding in esophageal and gastric varices. The fourth category includes biliary system and pancreatic diseases involving the duodenum, such as pancreatic cancer, which can also lead to bleeding.

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Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
48sec home-news-image

Can you eat egg custard with upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

As for whether one can eat egg custard when experiencing upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it requires specific analysis of the situation. If it is during the acute phase of bleeding, such as just after vomiting blood, at that moment, one cannot eat anything and must fast. If the upper gastrointestinal bleeding has been treated and the patient has largely recovered, then they can eat egg custard, as well as other liquid or semi-liquid foods. Therefore, whether a patient with upper gastrointestinal bleeding can eat egg custard depends on the patient's condition. Once a patient experiences upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is crucial to seek prompt medical attention at a reputable hospital's gastroenterology department to undergo thorough examinations, such as an endoscopy, to confirm the diagnosis.