Does anemia caused by upper gastrointestinal bleeding require rest?

Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
Updated on June 18, 2025
00:00
00:00

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.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 12sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wang Li Bing
Intensive Care Medicine Department
40sec home-news-image

What to eat when there is upper gastrointestinal bleeding?

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is relatively common in clinical practice. Its main causes include bleeding from gastroduodenal ulcers, rupture of esophagogastric varices, and bleeding caused by gastric cancer, among others. When upper gastrointestinal bleeding occurs, it is crucial to seek medical attention promptly. After systematic treatment, if the symptoms of bleeding are controlled, the patient can then consume small amounts of clear broth and thin porridge, and gradually transition back to a normal diet. However, the patient should avoid spicy and irritating foods to prevent the recurrence of gastrointestinal bleeding.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
53sec home-news-image

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.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Zhu Dan Hua
Gastroenterology
1min 15sec home-news-image

Estimating the bleeding amount in upper gastrointestinal bleeding

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is relatively common in clinical practice, generally manifesting as vomiting blood or defecating blood; typically, the amount of blood vomited is larger while the quantity of blood in stool is less. It can generally be assessed by the following indicators: First, the situation of vomiting blood and blood in stool; second, the change in hemoglobin; third, the change in blood pressure. It is generally believed that if there is a problem with blood pressure, such as low blood pressure, the bleeding is usually significant. Second, by measuring the change in hemoglobin, it is generally considered that a decrease of 10g/L in hemoglobin corresponds to an estimated blood loss of around 400ml; of course, clinically, mild to moderate anemia is especially common. The appearance of vomited blood, generally considered to be more than 250ml, can be accompanied by vomiting and melena, which are commonly seen clinically, whether the bleeding is from the upper or lower gastrointestinal tract.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Wu Hai Wu
Gastroenterology
57sec home-news-image

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding, vomiting blood suggests how much bleeding?

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding presenting as hematemesis indicates a bleeding volume of at least 200 mL. If a patient experiences upper gastrointestinal bleeding accompanied by vomiting blood, it suggests a significant amount of bleeding and should be taken very seriously. Patients should seek treatment at a specialized gastrointestinal department of a reputable hospital and have an endoscopic examination as soon as possible to confirm the diagnosis. In addition, endoscopic hemostasis can be performed. After the occurrence of hematemesis due to upper gastrointestinal bleeding, it is recommended to be hospitalized for treatment. Treatment should also include the use of hemostatic drugs, acid-suppressing medications, and drugs that protect the gastric mucosa. Acid suppression medications can include proton pump inhibitors or H2 receptor antagonists, among others.